Clyde and Myrtle Brown

Fiftieth Anniversary, 1930-1980

Myrtle and Clyde brown celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with family, friends and relatives in August 1980.

Myrtle is the daughter of the late Henry and Elizabeth McBride of Westmeath and Clyde is the son of the late T.A. and Laurinde Brown of Westmeath and .

The couple were married on June 18, 1930 in the parsonage of the St, Andrew’s United Church, Westmeath with the Rev. A.H. McConnachie officiating. Their attendants were Laura Shields (Wright) and the late Cecil Wright. The couple moved to the Bromley Line, Westmeath Township, where they operated a successful dairy farm until 1970; then having sold their dairy herd to make way for a slower pace of life. They still reside on the farm and a beef herd

now has replaced the dairy herd.

A dinner was held on Saturday evening at the summer home of their son and daughter-in-law Donald and Beverley on Coulonge Lake and a family gathering. Then on Sunday afternoon and Open House was held at Pembroke at Beverley and Donald’s home which was widely attended by friends, family and relatives.

The couple has three children. Eleanor (Mrs. Jud Hefler of Gatineau, Quebec; Helen (Mrs. Fred Otto) of Edmonton, Alberta, and Donald, a psychiatrist in Pembroke. There are nine grandchildren. All members of the family were home for the celebration.

Clyde is a member of Beachburg Enterprise Masonic Lodge 516 and Myrtle a member of the Eastern Star. She is also a valued member of the Westmeath Women’s Institute where she has held several offices. Both are members of the Riverview Senior Citizen’s Club and both are staunch supporters of St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

Congratulatory messages were sent to the couple from Len Hopkins. MP for Renfrew North-Nippissing East, the Governor-General of Canada Ed Schreyer; the Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and a plaque from the Premier of , presented by Paul Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew South. He and his wife Diane attended the afternoon celebration.

Photos donated by the Browns.

Myrtle Brown – Women’s Institute Life Membership

Dear Myrtle As the excitement of another Christmas mounts and the spirit of joy and wonderment reaches into the hearts of everyone, we, your friends and fellow W.I. members have joined here tonight to confer one of the highest honors unto you – Life Membership.

Your association with the local Branch goes back many years. You have served the Women’s Institute very well, acting in the capacity of numerous convenerships; PRO, District Director and President. It was during your term of office as president that the Institute corrected many of its errors. This we attribute to the fact that you strongly believe in attending conventions and conferences, as this is where one learns the proper procedures for W.I. work. We can recall several instances where you guided the members into proper duties and procedures at meetings and convenerships. For this we are greatly thankful.

You have always been a unifying presence; helping and praising the work of the W.I. One of our best promoters, you are always ready to tell any woman that she is missing by not being a member. You are a strong advocator of 4H, having served as leader for many years and years. We all admire your warm smile and friendly nature. All your efforts are reflected in the warmth and affection you hold in our hearts. We wish you good health and many more years in the W.I.

Sincerely Your W.I. friends Submitted by Noreen Desjardins, March 1988