The Ontario Senior of the Year Award recipient in Amherstburg has been recognized.
Eleanor Warren received the award at last Tuesday night’s meeting of town council. Mayor Michael Prue said the province looks to present an award to a nominated individual in each of the 444 municipalities. The award recognizes outstanding contributions done by a person over the age of 65.
“You can only be nominated if you did it after you were 65,” said Prue.
Two letters accompanied the nomination to the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility. One came from local resident Bonnie Deslippe, who recognized Warren’s work at St. John the Baptist Church including book research, research into stained glass information and was “a treasure trove” of how the church was built, managed and maintained over the years.
“It was an amazing amount of work,” said Prue.
The other letter came from Doris Gaspar, who wrote a letter highlighting Warren’s work at the Marsh Historical Collection. Gaspar’s letter noted the two-volume book that Warren has a hand in producing for the town’s bicentennial in 1996. Warren’s efforts in preserving the archives at the Marsh Historical Collection was also recognized as it allows people to explore their roots in Amherstburg and lower Detroit River district.
Information pertaining to the heritage conservation district, which town council approved later in the meeting, came through the Marsh Historical Collection.
“A lot of the information came from the Marsh Collection and a lot of the information came from Eleanor. Even today, we’re still using it,” said Prue.
Warren said she had a lot of people to thank for the award.
“For the past 50 years, I’ve worked with so many local folks who contributed to our knowledge of history and genealogy – far too many to recall without forgetting someone,” said Warren. “They know who they are and they all deserve this award.”Warren said people who stirred her interest in local history include John and Helen Marsh, David Botsford, Richard Thrasher and Jeanette McGrath. They helped establish the Marsh Historical Collection in 1983.
“They included me in that society,” she said.
The Marsh Historical Collection is still going and doing a great job, she said.
“Thank you so much to everyone who had a part in this,” said Warren. “Special thanks to my three kids who put up with my history lessons at the dinner table. Thank you so much.”
Ontario Senior of the Year from Amherstburg recognized By Ron Giofu
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