Calgary woman hopes to inspire others after finding friendship through online group

A new Calgarian hopes to inspire others after an online platform helped her find her place in the city.

Marilyn Denison moved to Calgary about three years ago. Originally from Ottawa, Denison was recently widowed and relocated to be closer to her daughter.

New to a big, unfamiliar city, Denison wondered how she would learn about things to do and meet new people.

A friend from Kelowna suggested she check the website Meetup for group activities.

Denison ended up finding a group for single women over 60. Activities were held weekly until COVID forced the meetups to stop.

Taking the reins

In December of 2021, the woman who originally started the Meetup group asked Denison to take over.

Since she enjoyed the group so much, Denison agreed and is now one of 10 people who organizes activities for the members.

The group has grown to 97 women, most of whom live in the southern part of the city.

Denison believes there are thousands more who would benefit from similar Meetup groups in their own neighbourhoods.

“I had no idea that there were this many single senior ladies,” she says.

“In a few months if we can rack up 97, can you imagine how many there are out there?”

Promoting friendship

Denison says the group promotes friendships and encourages members to connect.

“A lot of our women, including me, are recently widowed, or divorced,” she says, adding others were laid off during COVID or are retired and no longer see their work friends.

“All of a sudden, they’re in a situation where they don’t really have anybody to do anything with. They lose a lot of the relationships that they have, and then they’re looking for new ways to connect with people.”

The benefits of the Meetup group are amazing, Denison says, adding it’s become a network of people who are comfortable with each other.

“We provide that social environment. In some cases we’re the only people they see in a week or two weeks,” she says.

A networking community

Denison has witnessed genuine friendships being formed and the women will help each other when needed.

After one of the members broke her leg, another offered to walk her dog, and other ladies offered rides to a member who was recovering from a stroke.

Some travel together and they also recommend things like movers, plumbers, and electricians to each other.

Denison says personal recommendations for tradespeople are especially helpful considering the vulnerability of many of the women and the number of scammers who try to take advantage.

“It’s really kind of neat the way it just evolved into what it is,” she says.

“It’s a community and it’s really heartwarming to see how people have connected and come together for each other.”

Group activities

Denison and her fellow organizers try to plan a variety of activities for the group.

They visit the Calgary Zoo, go on sleigh rides, attend comedy shows, and try local restaurants and coffee shops.

Every once in a while the group carpools to Canmore, Banff, Drumheller, and other not-too-distant destinations.

Free activities like book clubs and games nights are also on the roster of events, as many members are on a limited income.

“All kinds of stuff like that that people can go to without having to spend any money,” Denison says.

Together for holidays

The group also ensures activities are planned on holidays.

“It’s amazing to me how many people don’t have any relatives or family… or don’t have them nearby. They just have always spent those days alone so, again, it’s a real benefit for them to be able to go out and be with people,” Denison says.

This past Thanksgiving, the Meetup group went out for dinner. The members went around the table and everyone said what they were thankful for.

“Everybody said the group; that we had been their lifeline, that they had made friends, that they had learned things,” Denison says.

“It was really touching. If I had ever wanted to quit, that would have convinced me not to because it was so touching to realize what we meant to so many people.”

Making a difference

The Meetup group has made such a difference in Denison’s life and the lives of the members that she’s hoping to inspire others to start their own groups.

She even offered to help anyone interested in trying it out.

“It’s really easy to set up, it’s really easy to work, to use, you just need somebody with a little bit of initiative,” she says.

Anyone who wants to connect with Denison about setting up their own Meetup group can reach out to [email protected] to be put in touch with her.