Anne-Marie
Receptionist
In tune
with life
After more than three years with Le Groupe Maurice, Anne-Marie says that she’s found just the right environment to carry on her career. Why? Because she believes she has a strong grasp of seniors’ day-to-day realities, especially with her knack for picking up on their emotions. Maybe being the sixth of seven children – and knowing firsthand what it means to grow up in a large family, as was common “back in the day” – helps her relate so well to their needs? Most certainly!
“At age 10, my big sister – who had raised me as if she were my mother – left home to continue her studies. It was a huge loss for me. To pass the time, which felt incredibly long, I started learning the piano with another one of my sisters who was a teacher. That was my introduction to music. It pulled me out of my boredom and eased the sadness I was feeling!”
Although she was pampered, cared for and protected by her older sisters, a very different reality awaited her at school, where she experienced bullying. The isolation affected her to such an extent that, in high school, a deep unhappiness set in, leading her to struggle with eating disorders. To escape, along with music, she found comfort in reading and sports.
“I took up biking, hiking, swimming, and especially skating. Because my love for music had grown so strong, I constantly had my headphones on. Skating made me feel as if I were dancing across the ice. The feeling of freedom was impossible to put into words. That’s also why I still practice this sport at least once a week!”
At Margo, residents can enjoy her melodic touch when she plays the piano or hear her cheering them on during organized sports challenges.
For Anne-Marie, it’s important to stay active, curious and to feel useful. At 71, she feels better in her body, mind and heart than she did at 15, 30, or even 50!
“I hope everyone gets the opportunity to find passions that, just as music, sports and reading did for me, could one day save their life!”
THANK YOU, ANNE-MARIE!