ried young then," Akey said. One week before their wedding, her husband got the call about his enlistment to the army. After a quick honeymoon, he went to Peterborough, joined the army and transferred to the air force shortly afterwards. The newlyweds rented a home on Highway 2 not far from Akey's parents and started a family. Earl was born in 1942, Ron in 1943, Stan in 1947, Gail in 1951 and Bob in 1960. Her husband went overseas in February of 1943 and served with the ground crew in England before returning home in 1947. "I was a stay-at-home mom all those years and I enjoyed it. I was fortunate to be there for my children whenever they needed me," she said proudly. "I even brought up many of my grandchildren." She has eight grandchildren and they stayed with her while their parents were at work. "People ask me how I did it. I just enjoyed doing it to help out my family. I didn't consider it a job. I just enjoyed having them with me. And I still do." Akey started volunteering with the Shannonville United Church in the mid1950s and then with the Boy Scouts when her son went through the program. She decided to join the ladies auxiliary at the legion in 1978. "My husband was a member and two of my friend's convinced me to join as well. Besides, I wanted something to do and, 26 years later, I'm still here." She especially enjoys her role as banquet chairman. "I look after all the arrangements for banquets after they are booked and that includes getting kitchen and serving help to serve at the function ... I'm right alongside them serving at functions." Akey also handles "funeral lunches" mostly on her own. She makes all the sand-j wiches and desserts for receptions follow- ,| ing funerals. "I just love to be around people," she said. As ladies auxiliary president, Akey puts j in many hours a week at the Legion "but I enjoy every minute of it. "I love doing what I do in honour of th^ veterans. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn'j be here today. So if I can help out in any way, I'm honoured to do so." When she's not at the Legion, she enjo> crochet and knitting and helping out at St Matthew's United Church. "I keep busy for my age."