Housekeeper Celebrated at Carveth Care Centre

Cathy Hobbs is as humble as she is kind.

Speaking from the laundry room at Carveth Care Centre where she has worked for the past three years, the friendly woman smiles brightly at the news she is the Employee of the Month for January 2025.

“I love it here,” says Cathy while the heat from the driers warms her back as she folds laundry. Looking happy at her task, she apologizes for not stopping her work while she talks. “I have a system,” she says with a smile, alluding to her workday that works best when it’s not interrupted. “To be successful, you have to have a routine.”

Grateful for this recognition from the home, the 63-year talks about her life before she joined the family-owned retirement lodge and long-term care home in Gananoque. “I worked at Home Hardware for 10 years. Before that, I owned a coffee shop,” she explains. “I enjoyed that work so much, I even opened it for my regular customers on Christmas morning. They were sweet guys.”

After her business closed, Cathy was looking for something new.

“I got the job at Carveth Care Centre by fluke,” she explains. “I was asked to pour coffee, temporarily.”

Although Cathy joined the home as a Dietary Aide, she quickly transitioned into a permanent housekeeping position where she finds satisfaction in laundry and housecleaning.

“I like both,” she says quickly.

“Cathy is a fantastic member of the housekeeping department,” notes Supervisor Mark Campbell. “She’s reliable, friendly and competent. We are deeply grateful to have her here. It’s an honour to celebrate her good work with this award.”

Pleased with the feedback, the 63-year-old Gananoque woman says she enjoys spending time with her mother when she’s not at work.

“There’s not a lot interesting about me,” she says with a chuckle. “I work; I work hard. I’m a team player.”

Questions for Cathy

If you could rule the world, what would you do on day-one?

“I’d end hunger and sickness.”

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

“I’d just like for everyone to be at peace.”

If you weren’t at your current job, what would you be doing?

“I’d still have my coffee shop. I did it until I couldn’t do it. Walking away from it was the hardest thing I have ever done.”

Carveth Care Centre is grateful for the good work of Cathy Hobbs. To learn more about living or working in our home, please call 613-382-4752.