Eleanor Pauling: A Portrait of Gratitude

“This hospital has always treated me so well.” – Eleanor

 Eleanor Pauling lives life in bright colours. Her health has been a struggle for several years now but you wouldn’t know it. She’s warm and inviting just like one of her paintings. Eleanor said, “the care I’ve had at the Owen Sound Hospital has always been excellent.”

Eleanor moved to Owen Sound in 1975. She ran the Diamond Motel for 27 years. “When you run a motel you only get one week of vacation a year,” she recounted. “But you always have space for family and people would travel from all over to stay with us.”

After selling off the motel in 2002 she opened Bridges Gallery which featured thirty local artists. Heart problems started to slow her down but not before becoming Owen Sound Volunteer of the Year in 2007 for her involvement with the Zonta Club, Community Art Banner program and more.

She’s been to the hospital many times to manage her Artrial fibrillation (AFib) – which is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm. She noted that “everyone looks after you. Even when you can tell they’re very busy.” Even though she’s turning 89 this fall she’s never felt that her age has impacted her care.

In January 2024, Dr. Lozon resected eighteen inches of her bowel which removed her cancer. And this past October Dr. Gladwell fixed her shoulder. She remembers that before the surgery “the pain was unmanageable. I could barely sleep it was so bad.”

During her post-surgery physio appointments at the hospital Eleanor re-met Heather. They’re both pretty sure that Heather also helped Eleanor recover after her knee replacements years ago.

Eleanor gratefully said that “Heather is a blessing. She’s thorough, compassionate and lovely. She tells you what you need to know.” Everything has gone so well her shoulder feels like new.

What stood out is how Heather helped Eleanor with her other problem – her worsening hip pain. After several visits Heather could see that Eleanor’s ability to walk was deteriorating. She referred Eleanor to the Rapid Assessment Clinic. After an assessment she was given and MRI that revealed a large tear in one of her hip muscles. She’s scheduled for surgery this summer to repair it.

Painting pulled her through the long winter. She’s preparing for the Owen Sound Artist’s Studio Tour in the fall where she’ll have sixty new paintings to display. She’s also looking forward to getting back out and travelling again – seeing her children, grandkids and great grandkids who are scattered all over North America.

When asked why she donates to the hospital Eleanor said, “this hospital has always treated me so well. I wanted to let Heather and the other staff know that I appreciate everything they do.”