Elizabeth Janusz believed that no one in her community should struggle alone. A native of Cornwall, England, she brought her unyielding sense of purpose to Peterborough when she settled here in 1952. Over a decade later, she would become the driving force behind the launch of Meals on Wheels in Peterborough—one of Canada’s earliest programs dedicated to delivering nutritious meals to seniors.
Her determination was sparked by a tragedy that shook the city. In the early 1960s, Florence Grady, an elderly woman living alone, fell ill and collapsed in her home. Days passed before she was discovered, suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition. The shocking story underscored the urgent need for a service that would provide regular meals and check-ins for vulnerable seniors. Elizabeth refused to let such a situation happen again.
She sought answers beyond Peterborough. Hearing about the first Canadian Meals on Wheels program in Brantford, which had launched just months earlier, she traveled there to see it in action. Inspired by its success, she returned home convinced that Peterborough could do the same.
In June 1964, Elizabeth rallied the community, organizing a public meeting to discuss the need for senior support services. From this gathering, she established the Courtesy Association—a volunteer-driven organization that not only launched Meals on Wheels but also provided transportation, friendly visits, and nursing home support. With fierce determination, she gathered resources, recruited volunteers, and on October 6, 1964, the first seven Meals on Wheels deliveries were made.
For years, Elizabeth’s leadership and resilience ensured the program's survival through financial struggles and logistical challenges. She inspired volunteers, fostered partnerships, and never wavered in her belief that seniors deserved to live independently and with dignity.
Today, Meals on Wheels Peterborough delivers more than 50,000 meals annually. Elizabeth Janusz’s relentless pursuit of solutions and her deep sense of community responsibility built a legacy that continues to nourish and support people in need—a testament to the power of one determined person to change a city forever.
