Marshfield Women’s Institute M

Trust Fund Committee, established to provide long term maintenance of the Pioneer Cemetery (Five Mile House Burying Ground).

1997 - Marshfield WI won the FWIC special project competition (collection of artifacts in use at the turn of the last century) at the WI Centennial celebrations in Hamilton, Ontario. One of the members, Priscilla Myers, attended the convention in Hamilton and accepted the award on behalf of the Marshfield Branch.

1998 - Celebration of the 85th Anniversary was held at York Community Hall with spouses, former members and friends, catered by the ladies of Alpha York WI. Honorable Marion Reid, former Lieutenant Governor of PEI, was the guest speaker.

Provincial FWIPEI President, Betty Miller, presented life memberships to Velma Carmody— MacDonald and Doris Wood.

1999 - Marshfield WI received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Chair of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for financial support and Doris Wood accepted a term on the FWIPEI board.

2000 - At the 87th June meeting, held at Joseph’s Restaurant in Charlottetown, Pauline Scott was presented with a life membership by Debra Earl, a director of the FWIPEI board and guest speaker for the evening.

Fundraising continues to be a necessary part of WI efforts. Social gatherings in the community were the main source of fund raising in earlier times. To pause for but a moment in this busy, demanding world, brings back the almost forgotten memories of sleigh bells, lamp light, and ladies arriving with boxes of pastries and cakes to be auctioned off for a nice sum. For many years support was concentrated on the local school and community hall. Funds were raised by means of weekly card parties, bake sales and garage sales or catering to a banquet. Focus has now shifted to financially supporting the equipment fund of the local hospitals and funds are raised by an annual variety concert, held at the Carrefour De L’Isle-Saint-Jean Theatre in Charlottetown. As a note of interest, as early as the 1920’s Marshfield WI was busy canvassing the community for the PEI Hospital.

In the year, 1999-2000, the membership of Marshfield WI consists of fourteen ladies:

Barbara Enman, President Marjorie Boswall, Vice—president Doris MacBeath, Secretary

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Myra Scott, Interim Secretary Pauline Scott, Treasurer

Helen Stetson Dorothy MacCallum Marguerite Godfrey Andrea Court Priscilla Myers Margaret Creamer Ruth Roggeveen Doris Wood

Velma Carmody—MacDonald

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Marguerite Godfrey (Mrs. Rupert). Oldest living member in 2001, dressed in her heritage gown. On September 20, 2001, Marguerite celebrated her 92nd birthday.

One cannot read the reports of Women’s Institutes on PEI without appreciating the great benefit that Institutes are conferring, not only upon the ladies themselves but upon the various communities in which they are active. The Marshfield WI is proud to be part of that illustrious group for 87 years.

In the words of Mrs. Charles Robertson, a charter member, “Don’t let us ever lose sight of the big things of life; little differences and misunder- standings, will be forgotten so easily that a year’s distance, will hardly be remembered.”

Presidents of the Past 87 Years

Mrs. Erena (LHD) Foster 1913-1915, 1923-1924, 1931—1932. Mrs. Bessie (Charles) Robertson - 1915-1917. Mrs. Millicent (J .R.) Munn Sr. 1917-1919, 1937-1938. Mrs. Laura (Peter) Stewart 1919—1920, 1932—1933. Mrs. Alberta (Claude) Mill - 1920-1923.