As seen from another angle in the video below, Judy Raabis receives a scholarship from Queen Elizabeth II on June 28, 1990 at the Capri Centre, and shakes her hand. (Judy Raabis)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

gracious, dignified on visit 32 years ago

Central Alberta woman who received award from Queen Elizabeth II recalls memorable moment

Sep 8, 2022 | 5:03 PM

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Red Deer once, on a sunny summer day 32 years ago.

It was June 28, 1990 when the Monarch, who passed away at the age of 96 on Sept. 8, 2022, travelled to central Alberta with husband Prince Philip in tow.

The stay was a short one, including a 20-minute use of a very lavish Royal suite at the then Capri Centre (now the Cambridge), according to a news report by the bygone CKRD (RDTV).

Her visit also included dropping by the new pediatrics unit at Red Deer Regional Hospital, before attending a luncheon at which she presented a special award in her own name.

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“It was quite a bit of excitement. A lot of people turned out to see if they could catch a glimpse,” says local historian Michael Dawe, also current city councillor.

“I was on the hospital board at the time, so I was in the lineup when we were getting organized prior to the opening ceremony in pediatrics. I was quite struck when I realized her height as I’d always thought she was average height; but she was quite tiny.”

Dawe also stood next to Elizabeth as she signed the hospital guest book, but couldn’t get a word in edgewise as things were being run on a strict schedule.

The entire ceremony was done in front of a special room for kids designed after and sponsored by Dairy Queen, as seen in the video.

“We didn’t get to have a conversation unfortunately, but I was pretty close to her in the room, and I did note that she was always very gracious, seemed very dignified, and her presence at the ceremony added a lot to the importance of opening that pediatrics ward.”

At the luncheon that followed, the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship in Neonatology and Pediatrics, worth $1,000, was given to Judy Raabis, a clinical coordinator at Red Deer Regional.

On Thursday, rdnewsNOW caught up with Raabis, who was 42 at the time, and remembers the moment fondly.

(Judy Raabis)

“The framed scholarship is still hanging on my wall,” she quips.

“I stood up when they called my name and my knees were kind of shaky. I thought, ‘I better pull myself together.’ So I approached her, and beforehand, we had learned the correct protocol for the curtsy. She gave me the award, and shook my hand, which isn’t too usual I guess. She also congratulated me and asked what I’d be doing with the award. She seemed interested.”

Raabis used the $1,000 — worth a lot more back then — to attend the inaugural International Pediatrics Conference in San Francisco.

“I’ve never been a huge fan of the Royal Family, but I do think she was a great Monarch. There’s been many Royal Family issues, but I think she always rose above it. When Princess Diana died, they had to present themselves in a different light. I think too she was quite well loved by her people, which includes many countries of course,” she opines.

“The Queen showed such a keen interest in our pediatrics unit that day too, that the tour ran over its alloted time, and so the luncheon was delayed.

“No one hurries the Queen.”