A Legacy of Service: How One Family’s Commitment to Seniors Inspires a New Generation of Care
July 25, 2025 | By Park Place Seniors Living |
At Park Place Seniors Living, we often say that senior care is more than a profession, it’s a calling. For many of our team members, that passion starts with the examples set at home. This month, we’re proud to celebrate one such story: the intergenerational legacy of compassion, service, and leadership shared by Traci Skaalrud, Site Leader at Cascade Gardens Seniors Community in Burnaby, and her mother, Eleanor Ashe.
On June 2, at the start of Seniors Month in Ontario, Eleanor Ashe was awarded the 2025 Rebecca Johnson Age-Friendly Senior Award at Thunder Bay City Hall. The ceremony, led by Mayor Ken Boshcoff and Age Friendly Thunder Bay, marked the official kickoff of a month dedicated to celebrating and supporting seniors across the province. Eleanor was genuinely surprised and deeply touched to receive the honour – grateful for the recognition, but humble about her lifelong commitment to helping others.
At 87, Eleanor continues to live out a deep commitment to community service. She currently volunteers as a School Board Trustee and actively supports organizations like St. Joseph’s Care Group and Hospice Northwest. And her dedication doesn’t stop there. Eleanor also works one-on-one with residents in long-term care, and previously tutored students who couldn’t afford private instruction well into her 70s. Her life is a testament to the impact that ongoing volunteerism and compassion can have, both on individuals and the broader community.
You can watch the full story here.
A Lifelong Commitment to Others
Eleanor Ashe’s contributions span generations and reflect a clear devotion to service. With a background in education, she has long championed access, inclusion, and equity, both in schools and in senior care. Even in retirement, she continues to lead by example.
Her involvement with St. Joseph’s Care Group, Hospice Northwest, and the local school board shows her remarkable range, not only working behind the scenes to shape policy but also spending personal time directly supporting others. Her presence in long term care homes offers residents meaningful connection, while her ongoing advocacy ensures that older adults remain visible, valued, and heard.
As TBNewsWatch notes, volunteers like Eleanor play a crucial role in building more age-friendly communities. Their efforts help bridge gaps in care, reduce isolation, and bring much-needed joy and connection to seniors across the country.
Traci Skaalrud: Carrying the Torch
Eleanor’s legacy shines clearly through her daughter, Traci Skaalrud, who leads with compassion and dedication as the Site Leader of Cascade Gardens Seniors Community in Burnaby, a Park Place Seniors Living residence.
Traci brings a warm, people-first approach to her work, one that mirrors the values instilled in her by her mom. Her leadership is shaped by a deep understanding of the importance of connection, respect, and building community among both residents and staff.
At Park Place Seniors Living, we’re proud to have Traci on our team. Her commitment to quality care, emotional support, and creating a true sense of home for seniors reflects the best of what this profession can be. It’s clear that her mother’s example of showing up, staying involved, and caring deeply has helped guide her path.
The Power of Role Models
Stories like Eleanor and Traci’s remind us that senior care is built not only on expertise but on heart. Behind every compassionate team member is a story – a person, a mentor, or an experience that sparked their desire to help others.
With Canada’s senior population growing rapidly, we need more leaders like Eleanor and Traci: people who understand that care isn’t just about services, it’s about relationships. At Park Place, that philosophy is at the centre of everything we do.
Recognizing and Celebrating Contributions
Awards like the Rebecca Johnson Age Friendly Senior Award shine a light on the individuals who are quietly making a difference every day. Whether they’re volunteering in the community or leading a care team with integrity and empathy, their work creates lasting impact.
At Park Place Seniors Living, we believe in celebrating these contributions, not just during Seniors Month, but all year long. Recognition inspires others, builds community pride, and reminds us all of what’s possible when people come together in service of something bigger than themselves.
To Eleanor, we offer our heartfelt congratulations. Your decades of advocacy, volunteerism, and care have created a legacy of compassion that will continue to ripple outward for years to come.
And to Traci, thank you for continuing that legacy within the Park Place family. Your leadership, kindness, and commitment to our residents make a difference every single day.
Discover the Park Place Difference
At Park Place Seniors Living, we believe in celebrating people, whether they’re receiving care, giving care, or working to make their community better. Our retirement communities across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario are built on that belief.
If you’d like to learn more about our approach to care and community, contact us today. We’d love to show you what makes Park Place feel like home.
