Hello Chicago, Goodbye Pender Harbour

About the Book

Testimonials

This is a story of new beginnings after the heartache of a broken marriage and a single mother with children to raise on her own. The courage to make a decision to leave her three children with trusted friends and go afar, into the future, to gain more education and training to improve the family income. I felt the tearing of the heart-strings and the pain f separation, as she knew she could not afford to return often to visit them.
Only as children can be; resilient, trusting and accepting, they patched the gaps with their faithful letters and their beautiful child-like drawings, telling their mother of their daily adventures and the happenings in their lives. As I perused this journal I was full of emotion and I can never cease to be amazed by the power of the human spirit.
-Elsie Moon, retired nurse

What a pleasure to spend the evening with your latest, most inspiring and excellent read. I couldn't put it down. A beautifully written novel, tender, humorous, revealing and honest. A family pulling together, an inspiration for all, and a must for my library. Thanks.
Mary M. White is a writer to watch.
-A. Lisa Wilflingsider

I really enjoyed reading your book Hello Chicago, Goodbye Pender Island.It was very interesting reading about nursing in the small coastal town of Pender Harbour in the 1950's. It was interesting how the nurses were also x-ray technicians.
Some things don't change, like the hospital boards and their budget constraints and different leadership styles. This classic information doesn't change, even today.
The sacrifices that you made in order to further your career goals were incredible(leaving three young children for four months and moving all the way to Chicago is hard to imagine). The letters from your children were an added touch that really personalized the story. Your letters to them about your experiences in the big city hospitals, the kinds of patients, and their diagnosis really allowed the reader to get a grasp of what you were experiencing as a nurse.
I loved your book.
-Sherry Tudge, homecare nurse

Mary, I enjoyed hearing from you again and getting excerpts from your book. I thought it might be appropriate to remind you of the busy, interesting, colourful and stressful days in Pender Harbour.
-John and Mary Playfair

Reader comments

"Thank you for sending your wonderful book, and sharing a part of your amazing life with us". W.S.

"I took 2 days reading your book. This is unusual for me. I truly enjoyed it". R.F.

"This is a love story, plain and simple, between children and a parent. There is a bond between mother and her children that time and absence cannot destroy". D.L.

"I read your book twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. That is a treasure and written to keep ones interest. You are a wonderful person". L.G.

"Thank you for the copy of your book. It is making the rounds of the members of our group. I asked the first one who took it to read to come back the following week with a review. She did so, and was most impressed with the way the book flowed, and she especially enjoyed the section where your children's letters were included". K.B.

"Thank you for the generous donation of your book. My goodness, what an interesting life you have led! We appreciate you thinking of the Richmond Public Library, and I am sure that readers will find your story fascinating. I am so glad you chose to share your writing with us". S.C.

About the Author

Mary M. White is a grandmother, a former Lieutenant Nursing Sister and a retired registered nurse.

In Chicago she worked on paediatrics, full time, in Cook County Hospital, probably the oldest and largest public hospital in North America. On her days off she worked in emergency at the new, beautiful Presbyterian-St. Luke private hospital across the street. She often did eight shifts a week.

At night she took a leadership training course at Loyola University. To this day she has never lost her love of nursing or learning.