Mrs. T. C. Robson

A devoted worker for the Duncan United Church, organizer and President of the Vimy Women's Institute since it's establishment in 1921, along with numerous other community functions, Mrs. T. C. Robson passed away January 12, 1941.

She was born in 1875 at Glenworth, Ontario, and was married in 1902 – she and her husband lived in London, Ontario before moving to Vancouver Island in 1902. They settled on a property on Menzies Road where they were still living at the time of Mrs. Robson's passing.

Mrs. Robson  was one of those untiring women who worked for her family and causes related to her community from the time she arrived in  the Cowichan Valley. She was a dedicated member of the Duncan United Church, serving for 13 years as president of the Women's Auxiliary. At the time of her passing she was a member of the church's board of stewards, too.

She was always interested in the Cowichan Health Centre and in promoting its work and

was also very active in the Women's Institute.. Upon arrival in this District, she organized the Vimy Women's Institute, was elected President and filled that office until her passing.  In 1931 she was elected District President for South Vancouver Island and she was still acting in this role when she passed away. She left a very large hole to fill in her area when she passed.

Only in the South Vancouver Island District Women's Institute records of the passing of members have I been able to locate her given name: she was Winnifred M. Robson – her maiden name goes unrecorded.

Mrs. Robson is one of many, many early Women's Institute members who worked tirelessly for the Women's Institutes and other organizations in their communities. Their efforts are to be commended and their commitment should be a guide post to those of us who follow them. At the same time, we must also encourage and make room for newer, younger members who come along and show promise of dedication and longevity in the Women's Institutes, so our days have come, and who knows how soon they will pass?

In recent years Mrs. Robson has been joined by Jean Robinson. Ina McDowell, Dola Acres, and Sharon Hawke at District level, Aileen Kritzinger. A Provincial officer who went on to represent Canada at ACWW level, to name a few. They too, made great contributions to the Women's Institute and I for one, miss them very much. But for the WI to continue to make contributions to the lifestyle and well-being of Canadians everywhere, there must be a constant influx and training period for those who will take the organization and it's influence to the next level.

So let's remember the Mrs. Robson's as well as the others we have known, worked with and grieved when they left us. And let us rededicate ourselves to see that the Women's Institute continues it's good work and contributions to communities throughout British Columbia and the world.

 Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute