NSLA Founder awarded the Meritorious Service Medal

No Stone Left Alone founder, Maureen Bianchini Purvis has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her work in engaging Canadian youth to honour veterans.

Maureen Bianchini Purvis lays a poppy on her mother's headstone at Beechmount Cemetery in Edmonton in November 2020.

Edmonton AB, February 25, 2021 – Maureen Bianchini Purvis, Founder, President & Chair of No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division).

Meritorious Service Decorations recognize individuals who have performed a deed or an activity in a highly professional manner, or at a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to Canada.

Mrs. Bianchini Purvis founded No Stone Left Alone in 2011 to engage young Canadians in a personal and unique experience of remembrance, placing poppies on the headstones of veterans each November. In the ensuing 10 years, the organization’s impact has grown to include events from coast to coast to coast, honouring over 65,000 headstones in 2019 alone.

The foundation’s success, says Mrs. Bianchini Purvis, is only possible with the hard work and collaboration of volunteers and supporters across the country. These include community members, civic, provincial and federal governments, serving and retired military members, and CAF leadership.

“If I had a gold star to fit on every one of those volunteers across country, I’d do it,” Bianchini Purvis said.

Origins of the Foundation
The inspiration for No Stone Left Alone came from Mrs. Bianchini Purvis’ mother, who was a WWII veteran. As she lay dying, she spoke to 12 year old Maureen and asked her not to cry…and to please not forget her on Armistice Day.

Maureen’s mother, Lillian Mary Bianchini (Nee Hidson)

After her mother’s passing, Maureen began placing a poppy on her headstone each November. And she hasn’t stopped since – including her husband and daughters, and now grandchildren in this beautiful family tradition. It was her daughters, just young children at the time, who asked why the other veterans didn’t get poppies like theirgrandmother did each year. This innocent inquiry was the spark that brought Maureen to launch No Stone Left Alone years later, in memory of her mother.

“I wish at this moment, for just one moment, if I could share that with her, (that) would be incredible,” she said.

“It’s really sad that she’s not here to see it but I believe she’s watching over me, I believe she’s the power behind No Stone and a lot of the decisions that I make. And I’m sure just like any mother that any child receives this type of high award, would be extremely proud.” 

More information about the Meritorious Service Decorations

Official Media Release from the office of the Governor General