Mary McLean fulfills her lifelong dream of flying high in the sky in a hot air balloon over Belleville with her husband Alan. Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News
Flames give Mary McLean’s hot air balloon a boost on Tuesday night in her Wish of a Lifetime and Chartwell Retirement Residences sponsored event. Photo Brock Ormond/Quinte News
Mary McLean and her daughter Joanna Hoekstra pose for photos before they get set to take off to the Belleville sky on Tuesday night. Photo Brock Ormond/Quinte News
Wishes did come true for a 92-year-old Belleville woman Tuesday night.
Mary McLean, a lifelong volunteer and a barrier-breaking doctor in Newfoundland’s fishing communities, was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of riding in a hot air balloon in the sky at Belleville’s East Zwick’s Park.
Despite some initial concerns with strong winds – and a couple of missed opportunities in the past – the two-man crew from Ajax was able to get the familiar Re/Max branded balloon up and running for McLean to ride in.
McLean initially planned to ride in the sky for her 70th birthday, however the plan fell through when the air balloon company cancelled last-minute.
The event Tuesday night was made possible by Wish of a Lifetime Canada and Chartwell Retirement Residences, where McLean now stays, in a joint partnership. McLean’s wish was one of only 12 granted throughout Canada and the U.S.
McLean says she enjoyed the opportunity to ride and bring her wish to life.
McLean explains how she was able to get a second chance to ride.
McLean was appreciative of the efforts of both organizations to make the ride possible.
Many members of her family and some other citizens attended the big event.
Wish of a Lifetime Canada’s mission is to shift the way society views and values our oldest generations by fulfilling seniors’ dreams and sharing their stories to inspire those of all ages. It was founded in the U.S. by Olympic Skier Jeremy Bloom in 2008 and an independent organization was launched in Canada in 2015.
Chartwell Retirement Residences is the largest owner and operator of seniors housing communities across the country, from independent supportive living through assisted living to long term care. Chartwell is committed to its vision of Making People’s Lives BETTER and to providing a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life experience for seniors.
For more information on both organizations, you can visit http://wishofalifetime.org/canada/ and http://chartwell.com/index
