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THURSDAY. MARCH 16, 2000 THE NEW TANNER 9 Elizabeth O'Rourke still remembers her homeland with fondness even though she left it more than 70 years ago. Although she's not as mobile as she once was, Mrs. O'Rourke, 98, still enjoys writing po- etry and reads voraciously. Ireland is still in Mrs. O'Rourke's BY MAGGIE Elizabeth O'Rourke has been an Acton resident since 1924. Born in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland on Sept. 13, 1901, Mrs. O'Rourke was one of 11 children born to an Irish farmer named Daly. She met her husband, Tom. at a dance in their home community. They eloped to Canada in 1924 and married in Grimsby, then came to Acton a short time later. "We knew several people who came before us." she says. One of the biggest shocks was encountering her cousin, Dr. Bill Kenny. She didn't The Harp and the Shamrock I wear two lovely emblems; I wear them on my breast. A harp entwining with shamrock Is the emblem I love best. They are dear to every Irish man No matter where they roam. Good men are always true to Emblems of their home. It's the harp and the sham- rock of Ireland The and the sham- rock ae _And while I've strength to raise my voice ll sing in praise of the ao shamrock of Ire- When I see a bunch of I think of Patrick's Day. When I hear a band strike up a tune It makes my heart feel gay. My spirit overcomes me. I begin to shout and bawl. inn touch the harp of Ire- It will give you Tara's Hall. Now I'd like to see old Ire- land's sons a heart gt hand. © aggravate this preju- dice which " Spoils our native land. Let's smother feeling And let the whole world see We love our native emblem And can live in Unity. By Elizabeth O'Rourke thoughts know he lived in Acton and thought her father had sent him to bring her home. The couple lived in Acton and rural Acton as they raised their six children, then bought their home on Rockwood's Main Street in 1967, about the time Tom re- tired from Beardmore's. Mrs. O'Rourke remained in that home until a few weeks ago when ill health forced her to move in with her granddaugh- ter. Judy Scott, in Acton. At 98 plus, only three of her (younger) sisters are still living says her daughter Sheilah Fleming. Longevity runs in the Daly family. Her ponte. too, lived into his S. Writing has always been a pastime. She wrote a lot of poems for Bannockburn Women's Institute when she was a member. Her most re- cent effort of course, con- nects with Ireland's patron saint, Patrick, but her poems cover all types of topics. Irish came here in 1800's Continued from Page 8 munity. One prominent Irish family was the Moores. One, T.A.Moore became a modera- tor of the United Church. Another, H.P. Moore, was publisher and editor of The Acton Free Press, considered one of the most elegant weekly newspapers in all of Ontario. The Kenny family was an- other, and, of course. the scion of the family, physician Dr. William Kenny, a name still recalled with fondness and gratitude in the days when doctor's house cails were common. While the church was the centre for Irish Catholics, the Orange Lodge was the meet- ing place for these Scots-Irish from Ulster. The Orange Lodge 12" of July celebration were often a highlight of the year in Acton with parades that drew thousands to cel- ebrate the Battle of the Boyne. Emnity existed but the ex- cess which marked the cel- ebration elsewhere never seemed to have been part of Acton's history. The Catho- lic Irish were excluded from -- posts and many of the rightest found better opportunies elsewhere. The Orange lost its lustre in this part of Ontario after World War 2 as Irish of both faiths returned from the battlegrounds of Europe where old quarrels were for- gotten in the common cause. The last lodge in'the area, lo- cated in Crewsons Corners, sat little used for years, was abandoned and the days of the "Glorious Twelfth" are gone. Recently, a plaque recall- ing the settlement of Irish in this area was unveiled in St. Joseph's Cemetery or the Dublin Line at the behest of Brendan Aherne and Tom Blake. It traces the graves in the old burial ground, many of which were unknown until Ray Arbic and Aherne un- earthed them in parish records. SUMMER 877-9314 Register Now for MOORE PLAC PROGRAM &&> The late Cathy McGillivray left a legacy of caring Dear Editor, Last September the Acton Branch of the Cancer Society lost a dear friend - Cathy McGillivray. She had been a member for over 25 years and held almost every position including president. Cathy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Her family was most important to her but she still found time to be involved in her community. She was a tireless volunteer. Our Cancer Society group was very dear to Cathy and she was it go through many changes both at the provin- cial and the local grassroots levels. She continually kept herself knowledgeable and up to date with the latest discov- eries and statistics. - we al- ways knew who to call for the latest info. Her past position was that of Community Outreach Coordinator and she spent many hours, espe- cially during the summer, edu- cating children and their par- ents about how to protect themselves from the harmful rays of the sun and the im- portance of eating a healthy diet and leading a healthy life- style. She was involved in every fund raiser we had. We could always count on her to come up with unique ideas for projects for our group to con- sider. She sold daffodils, drove patients, canvassed and always guided our meet- ings gently with her wise words and wonderful sense of humour. Even after her own diag- nosis she took on the job of organizing the food for our first Antique Show and of course our "snack bar" was a huge success. Cathy also worked tire- lessly for her church - Trinity United. Her fine leadership skills were very much appre- ciated there and again she was involved in every aspect of church life. She pes oe ite a legacy which can iexnowietecd in the many banners she helped to design and work on. They hang very proudly in the sanctuary. When she wasn't volun- teering, Cathy taught kinder- garten and Grade | at Harrison Public School. She was an exemplary educator who was highly respected by her ad- ministrators, peers and the community. Cathy fought her battle with cancer courageously and with dignity. She touched many lives in a very positive way. She made a difference! We miss her very much. The Acton Branch of the Cancer Society kitchens & baths and so much more!!! FREE ESTIMATES Dave Dawkins..853-2887 SECOND REGISTRATOIN 9 AM ---11 AM* ACTON ARENA 12 PM -- 3 PM « CHICO'S HOT DOG STAND (Canadian Tire, Georgetown) CLINIC / TRYOUT TIMES MEMORIAL ARENA Program offered at Moore Place Day. Care, 83 Main Street N. (Hwy. 7) and Sacre Coeur Parish Hall, 39 Guelph Street Georgetown 8 Week Program - July 4 - August 25 Enrolment on a daily basis Monday - Friday 6:45 am to 6:00 pm Ages 6 through 12 years of age as of December 2000 ACTIVITIES Arts, Crafts, Dance, Dramatic, Science, Indoor/Outdoor Games and Sports, Local Mini Trips & Swimming. Full Day Trips Weekly. REGISTRATION at Georgetown Marketplace near Food Court on Tuesday March 21, 2000 - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm or at the Moore Place Day Care anytime 877-9314 83 Main Street N. (Hwy. 7 & Moore Park Crescent) Georgetown CLINICS -- FREE TRYOUTS $2 / PLAYER / SESSION