In honour of a friend and former colleague who passed away in a hit-and-run collision last June, nurses at the Strathmore General Hospital are organizing an event they’ve named Rae’s Day.
Ann McNair-Gariety, site manager at the hospital, said she went to school with Raelene Schmaltz and doesn’t know if she’ll ever get over what happened. She hopes Rae’s Day will provide a way to help honour and remember Schmaltz.
“We just wanted to honour a real ace,” said McNair. “She was an expert in her field, detailed in her work and passionate.”
Schmaltz, a nurse and a mother, was travelling home to Beiseker after a night shift on her birthday on June 21 when she was hit by an oncoming vehicle on Highway 9 near Irricana just after midnight.
When RCMP, Rocky View Fire Services and EMS arrived on scene, they found Schmaltz dead. The driver who hit her had fled.
On Rae’s Day, Dec. 5, McNair and staff plan to raise money for STARS Air Ambulance from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lobby of the hospital.
Coffee and treats will be set up with a donation jar and a silent auction will take place. Representatives from STARS will be set up in the lobby to speak with people and provide information about what they do. Some of Schmaltz’ family will be present as well.
Schmaltz was also an advocate for 4-H said McNair-Gariety. She was part of the 4-H beef, clothing and horse club and carried her interest into her adult years, helping set up for events.
