A Shining Example

A shining example of hard work, love and dedication

(from) The Meaford Express, Dec 17, 1997

Editor’s Notebook. By Scott Woodhouse

I was introduced to Margaret Quinton just over 12 years ago when I started work at The Express. We didn't really meet. I was handed a piece of paper with some extremely messy handwriting and was told to "decipher it" and type it into the computer.

That's also how I learned about Walter's Falls. Like clock work, once a month, I'd receive a small envelope marked "NEWS" with Margaret's latest missive from the Falls. They were always full of interesting bits of information, community events, and Women's Institute news. I even received one in the mail last Thursday, typed it up and ended it, as usual, with her byline: Margaret Quinton reporting. Life is full of little ironies.

I received a call on Saturday telling me she had passed away Thursday afternoon, probably at the same time I was finishing her latest article, I was shocked and saddened.

In the years since I started at the paper, I've worked on a few stories with Margaret and typed up countless numbers of her community news reports. As I got to know her better, I realized what a special woman she was.

A lady gifted with many talents (neat handwriting was not one of them, sorry Margaret) and boundless energy, she showered them endlessly and unselfishly on others her family, her com munity, and her church.

To me, her name is synonymous with Walter's Falls. Her dedication to the tiny community she called home for so many years was unquestionable.

The day she died, she spent the morning putting up Christmas decorations at St. Philip's Anglican Church with her husband Maurice. Even though she had moved to Owen Sound, she maintained close ties with her community, looking after the church, hosting Women's Institute meetings, and reporting Walter's Falls community news in the Meaford Express.

For many years she served on the board of directors for the Community Hall, acting as chairperson for several terms. She started the Wolf Cub Pack in the Falls, and was its leader for five years.

She has been a life-long member of the Walter's Falls Women's Institute, was its president on several occasions, and this past summer at the 100th anniversary celebration of Women's Institutes held in Hamilton, she was presented with a special award recognizing her years of service.

Along with her active volunteer work, Margaret accomplished a couple of "firsts" of which she was extremely proud.

She was the first woman councillor elected to Holland Township Council and she was the first woman delegate to the Anglican Huron Synod at London, Ont.

Margaret Dixon was born in Holland Township in 1920 and moved into the village of Walter's Falls when she was two years old. She attended Holland Euphrasia S.S.#11, a one room school house. When she was 18, Maurice came along and swept her off her feet and they were married on June 11, 1938. They moved to Waterloo for one year, but soon realized Walter's Falls was home, and returned to run a trucking business and raise seven children.

Margaret and Maurice were dedicated to each other and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June. She was a leader and dedicated member of St. Philip's Anglican Church, decorating it for special occasions, caring for the sacred and vessels, preparing the altar, giving leadership to the A.C.W., and serving as a warden for the past four years.

She enjoyed many hobbies, including making hasty-notes with pressed flowers, quilting, hooking and needlework, and reading.

She was held in high esteem by all who knew her and the large crowd that assembled at the small St. Philip's Church at the funeral service Monday was a testimony to that fact. She lived life to the fullest and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.

I'm going to miss Margaret and her distinctive handwriting, but I'm a better person for know ing her.

Her life was a shining example of hard work, love, and dedication to her community.

Document scanned and Google Eye used to capture text. REQ ‘21/04/26