Willett Volunteers Celebrate 83 Years of Service
An Australian woman's dream of humanitarian service developed not only into Paris' first and only hospital, but the first hospital in Ontario to open its doors without benefit of a school of nursing. Mrs. William (Anne) Willett was born in Aroca, Australia in 1857, and came to Paris in 1896. On her death in 1917 she bequeathed $20,000 to the formation of a hospital, $5,000 of which was to be used as an endowment fund for maintenance.
In May, 1920, the Hospital Association of Paris was formed with C.B. Robinson as chairman, and Mrs. C.E. Dunn, sister of Mrs. Anne Willett, as a member. In July, 1921, F.C. Bodley of Brantford was hired as the architect for the hospital which developed into a two-storey, 16 bed structure.
In July, 1922, Lt. Governor of Ontario, Henry Cockshutt officially opened the Willett Hospital and on July 19th, the first patient was admitted. During that same year, the Women's Hospital Auxiliary (WHA) was formed with Mrs. Dunn as president. The Junior Hospital Auxiliary (JHA) came into being two years later.
The WHA took on the task of providing bedding, linen, room furnishings, kitchen and laundry accessories and other smaller items while the JHA later assumed responsibility for the nursery and baby requirements. Over the years, the JHA was gradually absorbed into the WHA. They continued to raise funds to purchase equipment and furnishings as well as expand their role in the larger community, sitting on committees and boards as well as forming the Well-being Team of Paris.
In 2001, The WHA changed its name to the Willett Volunteer Association.
