Durham Region – Oshawa’s Suzanne Retter wins VHA Home Healthcare Award after caring for sick friend

OSHAWA — Could you give up your job and everything else to take care of a friend in need?

Well, that’s exactly what local real estate agent Suzanne Retter did earlier this year.

Ms. Retter had a friend named Egbert “Bert” Reid, whom she met around six years ago through a shared love of photography.

Since Mr. Reid was still new to Canada from Tobago, he did not know many people or places so they spent much of their time together taking photographs of places he’s never seen.

He quickly became family to Ms. Retter who remembers him as one of the best people she has ever known.

“He was the most kind, happy, loving … everybody loved him, he was a beacon of light, even if he was going through some adversity, he always made you smile,” said Ms. Retter.

Their friendship remained strong throughout the years and when Mr. Reid got sick, Ms. Retter knew she had to help take care of him. In November 2015, on his 63rd birthday, Mr. Reid was diagnosed with stage four cancer. He had only a few months to live.

Ms. Retter took him into her home and cared for him until the end.

“He was my friend, and I love my friends, and if they need me, I’m going to be there for them,” said Ms. Retter.

She spent three and a half months taking care of him with the help of nurses who came in to assist until February 29 when he died.