Provincial Convention 2010: Life Member Liaison Oral Report

Submitted by: Pat Battensby

This report for me is a bittersweet experience. On the one hand this past year, we have lost four dear treasured Life Members from our province who are now enjoying their just rewards and I am sure, pulling for their dear League sisters as we continue our work for God and Canada.

We have also lost two husbands of Life Members. We empathize with them. The golden thread connects us all in joy and sorrow.

Our deceased Life Members are:

• Diana MacKenzie, Prince George
• Pollyanna Kilgour, Nelson
• Ruth Hazlett, Victoria
• Mable Allen, Kamloops

Diana had just completed her term as Life Member Liaison for Prince George Diocese as had Ruth Hazlett for Victoria, Pollyanna was the Liaison for Nelson at the time of her death, and of course Mabel’s long and legendary role in service to the league is well known. Three of these members were past Provincial Presidents.

I would like to mention my diocesan counterparts:

• Margaret Beardon of Victoria Diocese
• Barbara Jarvis of Prince George Diocese
• Marian Nygren, Nelson Diocese
• Marjorie Miller of the Vancouver Archdiocese
• Marie Lucie Schaff of the Kamloops Diocese.

We are praying for Sheila Quinn who just last week had knee surgery. I talked with her Wednesday and she is already lined up with her physio appointments, she sends her love and says that she has her talking lips back. and for our beloved Jackie Lenarduzzi who is continuing her brave struggle with cancer. We remember and so appreciate the service and commitment to the League that all of these members have given and support them with our prayers. Some of our members have had to go into care homes for assistance with management of their lives each day and we keep them in our constant prayers.

On the sweet side of this report, and it is sweet indeed, we warmly welcome two new Life Members to our Life Member sisterhood. Both are well deserving members of our executive for the Provincial council, we are delighted to have Dodie Bond of Prince George and Elaine Audet of the Nelson Diocese join our group. Both of these women have proven their commitment to the League and I am assured and know that they will be ready to serve our National Council in whatever way they will be asked. This of course is what Life Membership is all about, not necessarily a reward for service but recognizing the desire and capability of serving even more in the future. We are delighted to have both Dodie and Elaine in our company.

I have tried during these two years to disseminate the information that I have received from National to our Dioceses through the Life Member Liaisons and also to send out any news to Shirley Bernier, Our National Life Member Liaison. This seems to work very well via the Internet but is a little slower by snail mail. It would be helpful in future if Diocesan Executives, when choosing new Liaison Life Members could bear in mind that it is much more expedient if the Liaisons have a computer or ready access to one. We continue to have available, the Life Members stories that Thelma Varcoe was good enough to publish last year. They are a definite part of the League history in our provincial council and I have some for sale here today for $15.00

It will be my distinct privilege at the banquet to present the Life Members Arts and Culture Award to our second recipient. Life Members you might say have proved their metal and are available, ready, willing and able to mentor councils or serve however we can at the diocesan level as well. Please use us. Life Members are truly women of Peace and Hope and I salute them for their readiness and eagerness to continue to work for God and Canada.

My gratitude to Marianna and her executive for the great privilege of holding this position for the past two years. The work is mainly communicating and keeping in touch with dear old friends whom I deeply respect. Who wouldn’t want this job???