Memorial Mondays: Ruth Wight and Colleen Bobier-Emrich

Last week was a tough one for the museum and the community.  We lost one of the founding members of Tyrconnell Heritage Society, Ruth Wight and also one of our past summer staff, Colleen Bobier.  Ruth served for years as the board Secretary and was one of the best raffle ticket sellers around.  She enjoyed coming out to our events and hearing what was new.  I will miss my annual Christmas visit with Ruth when I dropped off the memberships she bought for friends and relatives as Christmas gifts.  She always wanted to know what new projects were up for the next year.

Colleen worked as summer staff for three years and became a teacher.  I come across her work all the time in the accession binders where she described and made notes on the collection items that came in during her time here.

Quotes from Past Board Member Henry Dryfhout

"The value she (Ruth) brought to this organization was Unbelievable as a member and Secretary for many years. She never let the Society down.  The community has lost a very special person."

 Colleen "was not only a great employee of THS but also had a fantastic ability to impact many young people's lives in our community and she found a way to get them involved in Backus-Page."

We've dug through our photo archives to bring you some pictures of both women in the hopes you will take a moment to remember them and their contributions to Backus-Page House Museum.  

                                                                                               - Angela Bobier

Ruth Wight having her face painted on Canada Parks Day at Backus-Page House Museum, July 17, 1999

Ruth Wight (far left) at a War of 1812 event at Backus-Page House Museum

Ruth Wight (right) at the Backus-Page House Museum Victorian Tea May 20, 2000

Ruth Wight (seated, front left) at the Back Porch Country & Gospel event at Backus-Page House Museum, August 15, 1999

Ruth Wight (far right) unveiling the Landing of the Settlers painting at Backus-Page House Museum

Colleen Bobier at Canada Parks Day at Backus-Page House Museum, July 17, 1999

Colleen Bobier at Canada Parks Day at Backus-Page House Museum, July 17, 1999

Trish Hentz (L) and Colleen Bobier at the Victorian Tea at Backus-Page House Museum, May 20, 2000

Sarah Hentz (L) and Colleen Bobier trying on some museum collection pieces.  

L-R Sarah Hentz, Krista Ford, and Colleen Bobier on top of the three completed boardwalks for the Spicer Trail

This poem was read at Colleen's funeral and I thought it appropriate for both ladies.

The Dash – A Poem by Linda Ellis

PS To see The Dash Movie again click herehttp://www.thedashmovie.com

The Dash

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came her date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

© 1996 All Rights Reserved, Linda Ellis