A local housekeeper has been recognized by her workplace for her kindness and compassion.

The loving mother smiles brightly when informed she is the Employee of the Month at Helen Henderson Care Centre for January 2021. She calls the award a pleasant surprise.

“I love helping people,” says Carrie-Lynn French. “I like to take the time to make people feel special. A lot of the residents aren’t getting the love they are used to because of the pandemic. I am glad I can make them smile.”

Asked to describe herself, she uses words such as loyal, hardworking, and easygoing. Others describe her as kind and someone who takes pride in her work. Carrie-Lynn is known for her friendly smile and helpful demeanour.

Carrie-Lynn was nominated by a manager who saw her use patience and compassion to solve a problem for an agitated resident.

Speaking from the home in December 2020 where she has worked as a Housekeeping Attendant for the past year, the 43-year-old Elgin woman talks with the insight of someone who has endured a life altering event.

For Carrie-Lynn, it was the tragic and unexpected loss of her 19-year-old son, Logan, who was involved in a fatal car accident last February. She smiles when she talks about her son who she remembers as fun, talented and thoughtful.

Carrie-Lynn has learned to smile through her pain. “I’m functioning okay,” she replies when asked if she’s happy. “Happy is a very hard word to include in my vocabulary, but as time has gone-on, I am trying to feel happy again.”

“I think it’s good to work here because it forces me to be happy,” she explains. “It’s hard to have a bad day here when you’re working around these wonderful seniors. I think it is helping me manage my grief.”

Carrie-Lynn’s 25-year-old daughter is a chef in Toronto. She lives with her finance and two fur babies: Hercules and Winston.

“I really like my job, I enjoy it,” she says about her work to keep the living area safe and clean for 104 residents in long-term care. “The people here are great; the residents are awesome. I thoroughly enjoy being here.”

When she’s not at work, Carrie-Lynn enjoys hiking, kayaking and spending time with friends, family and her two dogs.

Questions for Carrie-Lynn

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

“There’s a lot that I would do. On day-one, I would make it that children would not pass before their parents.”

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

“Restart 2020 and 2019, too.”

“I’d also like to end poverty. Make it so everyone is equal.”

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

“I would still be Assistant Manager at SoftMoc. Other than that, I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t here.”

Helen Henderson Care Centre is grateful for the good work of Carrie-Lynn French. To learn more about living or working here, please call 613-384-4585.