MARMORA SENIOR'S CLUB #87

Earlier history written by Helen Brady in 1978

In 1960s Department of Education's special branch was 'Community Programs'. A municipal council with a recreation committee could qualify for grants to encourage & foster recreation for all ages in smaller communities. Municipal Chair of Marmora Recreation Committee, AI Lorenson, and Don Maddocks, Belleville area consultant, presented idea to a public meeting November 26, 1962.

By end of January 1963 first regular executive was selected: 1967 Officers

President - Mrs. John Glover;
Secretary - Mrs. Ethel Nobes
Treasurer -Mrs. Mary Jones.
E.D. Q'Connor.

1964 - 1967:

President - Mrs. Ethel Nobes;
Secretary-Treasurer - Mrs. Mary Jones. .

1965 - Mrs. Elizabeth Gaffney celebrated her 90th birthday

President - Mrs. Harold Gunter;
Secretary - Mrs. E.D. Q'Connor;
Treasurer - Mrs. Percy Gordon.

Mrs. Eva Post was president from 1969 till her death in 1975.

First meetings were held in Miss Laura Foley's premises (former Bell Telephone office) rented for $30/month. Rent money came initially principally from Marmora Legion assisted by Steelworkers' Union, Kiwanis Club, Recreation Committee and individuals. First winter oil was donated by Lavender Fuels

1966- Edward Donald O'Connor, this village's oldest man, and one of its most active residents, celebrated his 90th birthday Sunday with his bride of 50 years ago at his side. Mr O'Connor was born in Marmora Township, Oct. 2, 1876. He is the youngest and only surviving son of Michael O'Connor and the former Elizabeth Wolfe. ~ His only living sister (Margararet), Mrs. E. J; Keating, also s resides in Marmora. Read more in the scrapbook.....

In six months Seniors Club was able to carry on with fundraising projects. When financial difficulties arose in 1964 the Marmora Legion Auxiliary offered the Seniors use of their room in Memorial Building. Membership was then 36.

September 1966 - Mrs. Ida Nichol celebrated 92nd birthday at a Seniors' Club meeting of 25. January 1, 1967 - Mrs. Nichol pressed buzzer to mark beginning of Centennial Year in Marmora.

In 1967 (Centennial Year) Village of Marmora Council gave the use of the front room of the Memorial Building to the Club. It had been vacated by the Library when new post office was built. 1978 - 155 members. Marmora Seniors Club helped organization of other clubs - Stirling, Madoc and Havelock. Renovations were made to the rooms - new concrete steps at entrance were purchased by Seniors Club #87. Centennial dishes, purchased in 1967 by Marmora & district women's organizations were housed in the kitchen cupboards, for use by any of the organizations.

Continuing to play active roles in the community:

Mrs. Florence Fluke - wardrobe mistress for Santa Parade & convenes sewing group when needed
Mrs. Winnifred Campion - has skillful quilters called together for good causes; holds crafts classes occasionally.
Seniors Band - (Kay McCoy, T. Neal, J. Ardis, Harold Rush) play for many local events.
Charles Lajoie - in charge of euchre parties Thursday evenings.
Bus trips were organized regularly to places of interest.

Business meetings held first Wednesday of each month 1:30 pm; potluck luncheon 3rd Wednesday of month at noon; card party every Thursday 8 pm.

Seniors' garden party at Mrs. Jones' 1965

Marmora Senior Citizens Club #87Quilt Information

The Quilt was made in 1967. It was designed, made and quilted by Marmora Senior Citizens' Club #87.Helen (Gaffney/Jones) Mantle did the painting. Mrs. Don Baileywrote the names.

After displaying the quilt in 1967, Centennial Year, Mrs. Mary Lavender did not want the quilt raffled and perhaps lost to the community. She paid $120.00 for the quilt and gave it to the Seniors' Club to be kept in their rooms.

We trust it will be preserved with pride and respect for the many whohave their names on it.

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Front row left to right: Vera Wylie Moe McAteer, Jean Shannon, Marjorie Bedore, Bev Maloney Second Row sitting: Marg Blackwell, Joyce Marshall ___________ Yvonne Minns Third row standing: ______ _________ Wilma Brady-Bush, Bonnie Danes ______ Glenny Lea, Dianne Cole Back row: Pam Halford, ______ ______ _____ _______Sheila Airhart-Golden, Enid Fluke ______ _____ Ellen Fegan-Wright, Linda Bracken