Afternoon tea time is a celebration at Lorraine Horlick's group home in northwest Calgary. Lorraine cares for her girls, a group of women with mental disabilities, who reside in the home. Some of the women have lived with Lorraine for a few years while others have called Lorraine’s house their home for more than three decades.

Lorraine arrived in Calgary from Newfoundland in 1973. She was working for a local construction company when she heard an ad on the radio that changed her course.

“If anybody had an extra bedroom in their home to help the mentally handicapped please phone,” recollects Lorraine. “So I phoned and the next day the nurse came over from the old general hospital and took my application.”

“Two days later, I was hired.”

One woman was placed in Lorraine’s care but the number quickly grew. For the last 30 years, the home has housed six residents.

C.C. is one of the newest members of the northwest household. She holds a great appreciation for Lorraine’s contributions.

“She has a heart of gold,” explains C.C. “She's always here for us. It's like being in a family I never had.”

For Lorraine, running a group home has been a rewarding experience but she admits it does present challenges.

“It hasn't (always been easy), said C.C., “but when it's something you like, and you have common sense, everything works out.”

For a change of pace from the group home, Lorraine heads to the Calgary International Airport where she volunteers as a white hatter. Assisting visitors at the airport is an ideal fit for Lorraine’s outgoing personality.

“Meeting all kinds of people from around the world and some of them do need a little help,” said Lorraine.

Edna Rooney and Lorraine have walked the concourse at Calgary International together for the last fourteen years. Edna says Lorraine always has a smile and a moment for passengers needed help finding their way through the busy terminal.

“She's a wonderful woman,” said Edna. “She does everything for everybody that she can.”

For all she does for the girls in her group home and for weary travellers at the Calgary International Airport, Lorraine Horlick is this week’s Inspiring Albertan.

With files from CTV’s Darrel Janz.