Ollie and Joe Bailey

Ollie Bailey (April 9, 1937 - January 20, 1997) lived in Abbotsford, B.C. with her husband Joe. They were an awesome team. Joe worked quietly behind the scene supporting Ollie in all her work for the profession of Reflexology.

Ollie's husband Joe writes: “Ollie was the eldest of three children growing up in Brokenhead, Manitoba. She furthered her education in Management and Business Administration in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In her career years she was employed with the Royal Bank, Canada Safeway, then The Bay where she was the Regional Supervisor for over 25 years.

In the early 1980's Ollie was introduced to a therapy called Reflexology, to which she took to in her usual gusto ambitious flurry. For with Reflexology, she could help people in a natural way which she loved. Wishing to be proficient (which was her way of life) she joined the Reflexology Association of Canada so that she could become a certified Reflexologist.

In 1986 when Ollie and Joe moved to Abbotsford B.C. there was only one RAC member in B.C. That was a challenge for her which she loved. Ollie was one of the first three RAC members in B.C. to become certified. Later she was asked to become a Director with RAC which she accepted, and subsequently was re-elected to a second term.

Within this time she became a Reflexology Teacher and then a Teacher of Teachers for RAC besides being a Director for several years which involved many tiring trips to board meetings (head office was then in Toronto) plus countless hours of paperwork.

Ollie taught many students to become certified Reflexologists, of which a number became teachers themselves.”

Ollie had a great love and passion for the therapy of Reflexology and made a great impact in this field. She willingly, eagerly, and humbly devoted her life to the furthering of the profession to give it high standards of professionalism which she always demanded of herself thus setting an example for all of her colleagues and students. Even though she sought to attain a high standard in Reflexology she was never dogmatic in her routine and was always eager to learn new points, techniques and methods if they were appropriate. She also took many health related courses that interested her.

Ollie was instrumental in getting Reflexology off the ground in Alberta where at her death she had taught 5 teachers of Reflexology and now Alberta has several members throughout the province.

Through Ollie's teaching, RAC certified Reflexologists in B.C. began to grow and in 1993 Ollie was instrumental in starting the B.C. Chapter for RAC members. She was the Chairperson for the first couple of years. These meetings were designed for Reflexologists in B.C. to meet and share experiences and listen to a special speaker on a health related topic. A few days before the meetings she would phone individually each member and invite them to the meeting, enthusiastically encouraging them to come. The meetings were held in New Westminster at Covenant House. These meetings were an enjoyable time once a month to get together and share, learn and bond as Reflexologists. She also would occasionally get teachers together to share teaching ideas or discuss needs. Ollie's vibrant enthusiasm set a good tone for all of these meetings.

In 1990 in Toronto, Ontario, Ollie signed the charter which established the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR), a world organization to keep Reflexologists around the world in touch and to learn from one another. It was under Ollie's work that ICR was formed and she served on its first Board as a Director and their Treasurer.

Ollie organized, convened, and was the leading force behind the ICR World Conference held in Vancouver in September 1995. She almost single handedly organized this whole event assisted by her husband Joe, who behind the scenes spent months of hard work on the computer getting badges, certificates, banners and anything else made that was needed. His skilful organization along with Ollie's management and organizing abilities were instrumental in making the conference a great success.

Ollie also planned participation in Wellness Shows, Fairs, did demonstrations, and mall exhibits encouraging involvement of Reflexologists to work along with her and take the opportunity to educate the public about Reflexology and increase their clientele.

Ollie was a wonderful teacher and passed on her enthusiasm for the profession as well as high professional standards to all her students. She was an enthusiastic Teacher of Teachers in Reflexology and had an incredible influence on all whom she taught. She was a great motivator always willing to help wherever the teacher needed help or giving suggestions where needed. She was always happy to help new member practitioners to build their clientele and passed along prospective students to teachers. She was a strength, rock and protector to all.

Ollie's inexhaustible energy and drive amazed many. She paid great attention to detail and her organizational skills were second to none. In all her work for Reflexology she never expected recognition. No matter where Ollie was or what she did she fervently promoted reflexology with much enthusiasm and was a helpful motivator to all Reflexologists.

She was a rare person who could look at the ‘Big Picture' and worked tirelessly for all Practitioners. She could have easily put that energy into her own practice but that was not her way, her life was dedicated to improving the visibility of Reflexology and its benefits to everyone.

For the past several years of her life, Ollie had an ongoing battle with Lymphoma. Very seldom would she show any pain or discuss the killing disease with anyone. Joe, her husband said she wasn't one for sympathy. It is known that when in the hospital towards the end of her life, when very weak, she got out of her bed to help her room mate with a little Reflexology. She was involved with the B.C. Chapter and many of its members until she had no energy to carry on. Ollie showed to those who knew her a strength, determination, bravery and love. She passed away on January 20, 1997

Joe Bailey is not to be forgotten either. He passed away on February 9, 2000. He was also a certified Reflexologist and did many practical exams for students. He was a gracious man always with a smile for everyone. He was a great support to Ollie and supporter to the profession of Reflexology. He was a constant ally and a wonderful friend to many Reflexologists. He was a stable helping hand to Ollie and to Reflexologists in B.C. He was a great man behind this great lady. It was through Joe's encouragement that Ollie became a teacher of Reflexology and later on to join the Board of Directors for RAC. He traveled with her everywhere in Canada and to other places of the world such as Australia, Singapore and all over the USA when she was involved with ICR. As mentioned earlier Joe worked tirelessly along with Ollie to make the World Reflexology Conference in Vancouver a success. He diligently worked away in the background on his computer doing the work of several people, never letting on how much time was spent. He filled in where needed and anticipated any problems that might occur. Joe's smile would light up a room. Even if he was tired he would try to see the best in the situation and often eased stress situations by telling a funny story. After Ollie passed away, Joe kept involved right to the end of his life with RAC by working with the B.C. teachers, assisting and trying to simplify certain procedures. He also took on the job of looking after ICR memberships for quite some time. Both he and Ollie shared their home with many visitors from around the world and it was not uncommon for Ollie to have out of town students taking the certificate course or the Teacher Training course stay in their home for the duration of the course. Joe received an “Ollie Bailey Award” from the International Counsel of Reflexologists in honor of Ollie's memory and her tireless work in the field of Reflexology.

Ollie, over the years of her involvement in Reflexology collected many books of varying health interests. These were donated to the B.C. Chapter library by the family after Joe's death. They are her legacy to our Chapter and can be borrowed from the Chapter librarian.

After Ollie's passing the Reflexology Association of Canada Board of Directors announced that establishment of the “Ollie Bailey Award” in honor of Ollie and to recognize the outstanding contribution she made to our Association. The Award consists of two fully paid Basic Reflexology Certificate Courses; one award for the East and one for the West. The award for the West includes Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and countries outside of Canada.

Two very great people have made an impressive imprint in the profession of Reflexology Therapy. Their lives and involvement are like a torch before us continuing to encourage us to attain the high standards of Reflexology as an awesome therapy.

An amazing and inspiring team.

 

Ollie Bailey

Compiled and written by Louise Luhmert from articles in past newsletters and her memory of times with Ollie.

 

The Bailey family generously donated Ollie and Joe Bailey's Reflexology and Health related book and video collection to the B.C. Chapter after their passing. The Bailey family's intent was that the collection be made as accessible as possible to the membership of the B.C. Chapter.  

The Bailey Library Collection consists of approximately 300 books in addition to many videos. The collection was catalogued by Donna Toews and Kitty Broeder and is currently divided up among three geographical areas of British Columbia, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan.