Carveth Resident Makes Tokens of Love

Ask someone why they crotchet, and they might laugh and tell you it keeps them from unraveling.

Smiling from her room at Carveth Care Centre, a long-term care home in Gananoque, Madelene Wood loves to crotchet between meals and activities. She is 96 and has lived at the popular home for almost a year. Before she arrived, she was a dedicated volunteer for 34 years.

“I love it here,” says Madelene. “The meals are good and the activities are fun. I enjoy the music, bingos and movies. When I’m not doing something here, crocheting gives me something to do.”

A familiar face around the home, Madelene’s crocheted decorative pins can be seen everywhere during a holiday. Most staff wear her Santa heads, and many have red and white hearts for Valentine’s Day. Today, on a cold winter day in early 2026, Madelene is working on pink rabbits for Easter.

Asked if she has other designs in the works, she points to all the handmade snowmen in gift bags around her and says with a smile, “I don’t have time for anything else.”

Madelene’s room is clean and tidy. She opens her footstool to reveal its hiding place for the many yarn balls needed for her pins.

 Speaking on behalf of the home, Activity Director Shannon Buell notes, “When new staff arrive, Madelene always stops in to the office to make sure they have her collection of pins. It’s so nice to see her kindness spreading to the volunteers, residents and their families.”

Carveth Care Centre is delighted to see Madelen’s decorative pins worn around the home and community. To learn more about living or working here, please call 613-382-4752.