MARNIE SMYTH LEAVES $10,000 FOR HER BELOVED BRACEBRIDGE SENIORS’ CLUB
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
BRACEBRIDGE — Marnie Smyth loved the Bracebridge Seniors Citizens’ Club.
She and her late husband, Dick, were regulars working with friends and sharing good times always with a smile and a helping hand
On July 2 the club received a $10,000 donation from the Marilyn Smyth estate.
It was presented to the club at a celebration of life for Marilyn (Marnie) Smyth, a long-time “beloved member of the Seniors’ Club.”
She died this winter on Feb. 9 at age 89.
Smyth was predeceased by her popular broadcaster and commentator husband, Dick, on March of 2021. He was 87.
The couple met while working at the Cornwall radio station, where she was the record librarian and he a reporter. They were married almost 66 years and spent summers in Muskoka before retiring to Bracebridge in 2001.
About 40 people attended the celebration where club members shared reminiscences and “fond” memories of “Marnie,” said vice-president Catherine MacDonald.
MacDonald said the “generous donation” comes at a great time as members have just come through more than two years’ of closures and are “still in a COVID recovery period.”
MacDonald said the seniors plan to recognize Smyth’s contribution with a plaque or something similarly appropriate as her donation will help them with a new front entrance renovations project at the Dominion Street Active Living Centre.
They’d like to triple the size of the foyer to make its entry and egress easier and less confining — especially in winter when more than one person arrives at a time with overcoats and winter footwear.
They’ve applied for another Ontario Trillium grant — after receiving $32,000 at the start of this year for an air exchanger that was part of a COVID infrastructure funding program.
Meanwhile MacDonald said membership is back up after a loss of more than 100 people. It’s now reached about 30 less than the 250 they had before the pandemic. She hopes autumn won’t see numbers fall again if cases rise.
This summer the centre is planning a Muskoka music and arts program as well as a spaghetti dinner to maintain annual fundraising efforts to keep the doors open and daily activities going.
They will be holding a strawberry social Aug. 13.
Of course, as usual, all are welcome to join the club at 54 Dominion St., and to enjoy all its benefits and activities. Call them at 705-645-9111.
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