Continuing a caring legacy with a leadership gift to RMH

February 3, 2026 - In 1946, life was changing in the Kawartha Lakes. With the end of the Second World War, families were reuniting and growing; community business and industry launched an era of prosperity; and Ethelreda (Hutton) Morrison from Elm Tree Corners graduated from Ross Memorial Hospital’s Nursing School, beginning a long career devoted to patient care. 

Ethelreda’s daughter, Marlene Morrison Nicholls, has been supporting Ross Memorial for more than 30 years with her giving and her time. Marlene was a volunteer member of the RMH Foundation board during the Make Us Better capital campaign, enabling improvements to the Maternity Ward and Intensive Care Unit in 1997. As a local business leader, she supported the Caring For Tomorrow campaign during the hospital’s major expansion between 2002 and 2005, and has been active in physician recruitment efforts. Together with her husband, Ken Nicholls, they are continuing to show the family's commitment to the health and wellness of this community through caring and philanthropy, again at a pivotal moment in our local history.  

On December 19, Marlene and Ken visited Ross Memorial to present a leadership gift to the WE ARE THE ROSS capital campaign. Their donation will enable critical investments in the hospital’s facilities and medical tools and technology, and better prepare the Ross to provide the best care possible to our growing population. 

We are honoured to recognize the Morrison Nicholls family’s caring legacy with Founder level recognition on our new 1902 Society Donor Recognition Wall. 

“It is not only the Ross Team, our patients and our donors who we speak of when we say WE ARE THE ROSS,” said Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO. “We include our community, businesses, volunteers past and present, and all who have impacted care at the Ross since 1902 – people like Ethelreda Morrison. Together, over generations, we are advancing care close to home.” 

The WE ARE THE ROSS campaign supports the hospital’s highest priority projects, funding essential facilities and technology improvements including the expansion of the Emergency Department and ICU, leading-edge diagnostic technology and life-saving bedside equipment.

PHOTO:  Ken Nicholls, Marlene Morrison Nicholls and Erin Coons stand at the 1902 Society Wall in the main lobby of Ross Memorial Hospital