Recollections in 2023

Looking after Joanie

When I joined the Findhorn Foundation in 1995, I along with others helped care for Joanie Hartnell-Bevis in her home “Joanie’s” in The Park Findhorn. (“Joanie’s” is currently occupied by Ukrainian refugees.)

Joanie was Eileen Caddy’s closest friend. A genteel lady who lent Peter Caddy her car for his road trips.

Joanie became unwell and needed to attend Dr. Gray’s hospital in Elgin. It wasn’t possible to manoeuvre the stretcher through the doorways so Joanie and stretcher were passed out of the window!
As I accompanied Joanie to the hospital Eileen took off her white scarf and placed it around my neck for protection.

Various musicians and singers came to entertain Joanie as she sat in bed conducting them!

Joanie eventually died peacefully at home in 1996.

Care at home survey

I interviewed all the elders in the community to ascertain if they would prefer to be cared for in a purpose built facility or to be cared for at home? Without exception their preference was to stay at home.

The CCC continues to support Elders to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

Community Care Fund

I became part of The Holistic Health Centre set up by Dr. Cornelia Featherstone. Rather than receive a salary I requested money be paid into a Care Fund. Many others later contributed to this fund including a fundraising campaign organised by Eileen to pay for Joanie’s care. It also helped fund Dorothy Maclean’s care at the end of her life.

When I became an NFA Councillor I made the community elders my focus and set up an Elders Group inviting others to join me. This led to the Elders Meditation Circle, initiated by Elisabeth Tonsberg, (known as ET.) The Elders continue to meet to meditate every Wednesday morning in Cluny Sanctuary.

Conscious Living Conscious Dying Conference 1998

Conscious Living Conscious Dying Conference Group 1998

I co-focalised this conference with Cally Miller. We had a conference team of Cornelia Featherstone, Judith Berry, Joycelin Dawes, Mo Willett and for a short time Sue Miles.

I invited Phyllida Anam-Aire to be our keynote speaker having met her at an Elisabeth Kübler-Ross training. At the time she was the only person authorised by Elisabeth to do her work in the U.K.

After the conference I invited Phyllida to visit Newbold House, a small residential community in Forres and proposed this would be a good place to hold her workshops. It was at Newbold that she held a training: ‘Death the Final Healing’ as well as many workshops. (Newbold House is now a Boutique Hotel)

Alanna
“The beloved in me greets the beloved in you …we are one”

Together with Phyllida a group including me, Judith Berry, Jane McDuff, Vera Bolen & Mo Willett formed “Alanna” to work with death and dying in the community.

Derry women at Minton House, Alanna Group. Harpist Judith Meynell

We cared for a friend, Maya, at Minton House on Findhorn Bay. (Now a private house).

Together with Phyllida and Dr Sara Trevelyan we held workshops/trainings on death and dying at Newbold House & Minton House.

Phyllida invited a group of women from Derry living with cancer to come for a respite week at Minton House hosted by the Alanna group. We fundraised by holding a sharing in the Universal Hall. Many performers willingly gave their time to take part.

Meeting Eileen

We presumed after a day of travel the Derry women would be tired and want an early night. We couldn’t have been more wrong. They soon discovered the Kimberley Pub in Findhorn Village where they spent an enjoyable evening!

Later Phyllida invited me to work with her holding death and dying workshops in Holland, England and Germany. When I asked her why she said, ‘Because I can trust you.’

Coincidentally we lodged with a relative of Cornelia’s in Bavaria for several months.

Jumbulance Trust

Jumbulance Experience Week 2009

Jumbulance makes accessible travel possible for those with disabilities and serious illness. A group came to stay at The Findhorn Foundation, The Park for a week and Martin Roche-Nishimori, Judith Berry and I focalised a residential week in 2009.

 

 

Wilkie’s Wood Green Burial Site

Judith Berry and Fay Blackburn championed a Green Burial Site at The Park, Findhorn Foundation Community, where many community residents have chosen to be buried or have their ashes buried.

Judith writes: “It was Alanna’s dream to have a local green burial site and this became a reality when a site in Wilkies Wood managed by the Findhorn Hinterland Trust, became available.
Jonathan Caddy (Eileen’s son) championed the project and was assisted by members of Alanna who subsequently became members of the Green Burial Management Committee. It has become a valued service for the Community and local area, provides work for local people and supports the Findhorn Hinterland’s conservation work.”

Eileen Caddy, one of the founders of the Findhorn Foundation Community, and whom I helped care for at the end of her life, requested to be cremated as she did not wish her grave to be a place of pilgrimage.
Eileen’s ashes are buried under a tree at The Park.

Don Vincent

My late husband Don requested that his ashes be buried under a Rowan tree in the grounds of Cluny Hill College, Forres, where he had volunteered as a Wednesday night dinner cook for many years. He wanted a tree that would feed the birds.

Don chose to die at home with friends and family around him. During this time, I received amazing support from Dr. Cornelia Featherstone and a circle of other wonderful friends and family who delivered meals, shopped, washed dishes, did laundry and whatever else was requested. My stepson, Mike, came from the USA to live with us and support his father.

My thanks to Judith Berry for the photographs, and Mike Vincent for technical assistance.

Barbara Vincent MA. BA. RGN MIDWIFERY part 1 RHV RNT