Merley Cumberbatch

Merley Cumberbatch, seventh of eight children of Leotta Prescott and Cleveland Cumberbatch, was born September 19, 1943 in Christ Church, Barbados. She attended St. Matthias Girls' School, graduating from prestigious Queens' College - the highest ranking girls' school on the Island. Exams had to be passed in order to meet entry qualifications. As a youngster she sang in St. Matthias Church Choir.

In 1968 Merley emigrated to Canada, settling in Montreal. Due to a hiring freeze at the Montreal Children's Hospital she accepted a job offer at the Montreal General Hospital. After many letters were exchanged in June 1969 she received a call from the Children's Hospital to go for an interview. She was employed to work as a Staff Nurse; after two years was promoted to the position of Team Leader. She moved on to a new Burn Unit, which was challenging at the time. She became quite skilled, and was an experience that she'll never forget. Merley was encouraged to resume studies in order to earn a degree, by a Supervisor who felt that she could assume responsibilities of a higher nature. She received a Bursary and a Leave to study, and from 1975 to 1977 she pursued courses at McGill University, thereby earning her Bachelor of Nursing degree. When she returned to the Children's Hospital she was placed in the position of a Clinical Instructor. One year later she was appointed Head Nurse of a busy Surgical Unit. In 1994, due to downsizing, another Unit was added to her responsibilities. In 1995, due to further downsizing, one of the Units was closed and the remaining Unit was reorganized.

Responsibilities were reorganized but not reduced. In 1997, when Management Staffwas reduced due to the acceptance of package deals and retirement she was then challenged with three areas instead of two which she had the year before. Since she is a survivor and accepts a challenge she agreed to remain. Her greatest strength is her ability to adapt. She's not afraid of change and she enjoys her work. She plays a major role in people's lives and as a manager she deflates many volatile situations. She has good communications skills and has to be credible. She must establish good relationships with children and their families, because they are seriously ill and will retum to the Hospital from time to time. When families complain she listens and tries to reassure them and cairn their fears.

Mrs. Johnson has been involved in shaping the careers of many nurses, since she's in a position to hire whomever she wishes, and tries to select suitable people. She finds it fascinating to watch new nurses develop into experts. Several ofthem move from one department to another. Last year when Merley left her previous Ward one nurse whom she had treated fairly, sent Merley a card thanking her for her help. She has the same respect for Merley that Merley has for her own Supervisor who has since retired. ln her present position more time is spent in Administration than in her former posts where she was directly involved with patients.

Mrs. Johnson's favourite hobby is sewing. She makes most of her own clothes. Has been a single parent for seven years.

Her sons are very involved in the life of St. Matthias Anglican Church in Westmount. They are:

Jumaane (Jumanaye ), age /8 who attends Dawson College and would like to go into business. Hasani, age 16, is a High School student and an ardent sports fan. Mother bas a good relationship with ber sons. There is mutual love and respect, while they know that she is the disciplinarian. Both sons are servers or accolytes and carry the cross or the candie to the Altar, assist the Minister with the Sacrament, and receive the offertory. Mother - a fifteen year member of St. Matthias Church- taught Sunday School for many years. Isa reader and an Usher (or a Sidesman, as it is called in the Anglican Church).

From the time she arrived in Canada Merley studied French at Marymount High School, Concordia and McGill Universities and is quite fluent. Nurses at the Hospital were surprised to hear ber converse in French. A few years ago she joined a French choir and was the only Black Anglo member. It was therapeutic for ber and brought ber a great deal of pleasure.

Her career bas been rewarding. She bas poured a lot of energy into ber work. Fortunately ber dreams have been realized. She has truly been a role model for ber two dependable sons. Congratulations Merley. May God continue to watch over you. The Hostesses wish you continued good health and success in your future undertakings.

The Hostesses' Mother's Day Tea,

Gwen Husband

May 10, 1998