.png)
.jpg)
United Church Women
- Mary Bruce
Served in the Mission to China. She was Jean Atcheson's mom and after the Mothers Club formed, Mary “was a Fairy god-mother of this group.... On several occasions she donated money which was used to outfit the nursery.” When the UCW was formed and the Mothers Club was divided into two units, the one lead by Jean Atcheson remembered her in the name of that unit.
- Bertha Dillman
Was fondly spoken of as “Aunt Bertha” by many more than her nieces and nephews. She was very active in Stairs and known for speaking her mind and was very much respected. She was also a member of the Committee of Stewards at Stairs. There are plaques in memory of Janet Faulkner and Bertha Dillman in the sanctuary of Stairs. Over the years since these ladies were immortalized, we've been blessed with many more outstanding women ...like the several Shirley's, the several Bettys, the several Jeans, Grace Peterson, Helen Walker, Margaret MacKinnon and so many more women to name them all.
- Elsie Aitken
Was the wife of Rev. W.E. Aitken, who was minister at Stairs Memorial from 1953 until 1961. Mrs. Aiken was an integral part of the congregation. She was dedicated to the youth... She often held her Sunday School classes in the manse...” Not only was the manse “always open for meetings, a refreshing cup of tea, or a delightful meal with the family.... on turkey dinner afternoons many a pot of potatoes was cooked on the stove in the manse while pounds of turkey heated in the oven.... When the 19 ladies formally of the Ladies Guide formed their unit, they named their group for her. And they continued their association with her, meeting with her for meals, and for tea, silver tea service and all.
- Ruth Stuart
Had been a social worker at Brunswick Street United Church Mission. Each Tuesday, the members of the Mothers Club went to Brunswick Street Mission in Halifax, taking food donations and helping to distribute clothing to the needy. A warm friendship with Ruth soon developed. The Mothers Club members were truly moved by the concern, caring, and compassion she showed for the less fortunate.'..and named their new UCW Unit after her. Later Ruth 'entered the ministry and became Rev. Ruth Stuart...Over the years, the group kept in contact with her and she visited the unit on special occasions.” (quoted from T.T.&T., p.66)
- Bessie Pineo, Janet Faulkner and Bertha Dillman
Were outstanding Church mothers within Stairs. They were all hard workers around the church. Bessie was the first president of the Service League when it formed at Stairs.
- Jenny Faulkner
Was never married and lived near Stairs in a big house on Hester Street. She taught Sunday school and was into everything in the church. When the organization of the church was changed in 1952, she was listed as the secretary of the newly formed Committee of Stewards at Stairs. When health problems in later years kept her at home, everyone in church cooked and brought her favorite edibles and looked out for her.
Over the years we have remembered our church mothers every time we meet in our units, because each of our units is named after a very special Church mother.
Stairs always had active women's groups, the Ladies Guild, the Mothers Club, the Service League and the Ladies Aide. When in 1962 the women's groups became UCW units, they adopted Church mothers who had significance to them, as their Units' namesakes.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg)