The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

What a happy experience it was to work with Miss McKercher on Conference and Holiday plans and later as an instructor with the Home Economics Branch. _ I well remember our first meeting and how quickly I felt her relaxed friendlinessâ€"and who would not re- spond to that infectious smile? _ g It was a new experience for both 0] us for Miss McKercher was the newly appointed Director of the Home Economics Branch and l was the newly elected Conference and Holiday secretary. The Ofiicers' Conâ€" ference programme was important. so were the pro- grammes for the popular Women‘s Institute Holiday Week at Guelph and Kemptville. I Wish it were posâ€" sible to tell every member of the W.I. what we owe to Miss McKercher. Only the people who have worked with her. can know of the countless things she “made possible“ for us. _ Problems which materialized were quickly disâ€" sipated after talking things over with her. Her advice was invaluable. In presenting a new idea for a pro- gramme. one could be sure ofa positive response from her. never a negative one. Her willingness to “let you have your head“ with an idea. was a great incentive to really make it work. Miss McKerchcr‘s happy ability to get along with people ofall types and temperaments made her a most valuable asset to F.W,I.O. in her role of Honorary President. In Home Economics her interest is not confined to Canada. but is international. Some years ago she ar- ranged to bring to my farm home. a husload of French Home Economists who were visiting the O.A.C_ What a happy afternoon we had and what nice things were said about our Miss McKercher. It was a good demonâ€" stration ofthe happy relationship between Home Eco» nomics and the W.I. She is known to countless numâ€" bers of members throughout Ontario. through her attendance at the Ofi‘icers‘ Conference and at Area Conventions. A great many 4H Homemaking Club girls have enjoyed meeting her at the Girls‘ Confer- ences and her forward-looking programmes and in- tense interest in 4H club members have contributed very much to her success and popularity, and have been of inestimable value to the thousands of girls who have taken the well planned 4H clubs. Her firm beliefin the Women‘s Institute as an ex- cellent medium for adult education and the wav in which she has kept the courses olTered. up to date. folâ€" lows the thinking of Adelaide Hoodless. those many years ago. Helen‘s upbringing on a farm in Huron countv~ where I have enjoyed Sunday dinnersâ€"gave hervthe knowledge and understanding of rural families and their problems. which was helpful when arranging programmes designed for small towns or rural areas. In her comfortable home in Stratford. with her treasured antiques. we wish her many years of happy retirement. with time for further travel and leisure to do those things for which. in her busy life there was not always time. Helen McKercher will be rememâ€" bered with affection by many. many people. W flares It is with mixed feelings that we. as Women‘s ins . tutc members. approach the month of October year. On the one hand. we rejoice with Miss. McKercher that she is about to join the ranks of tho;b who have earned the freedom to follow whathC paths they may choose. On the other hand. wu xudi dcnly face the realization that we are not ready in pig ture what our activities will be without the firm hand the ready advice and the genial presence of our in“: log director. As one of those who have enjoyed the expmme of work and travel with Miss McKercher durin he, Directorship. I should like to pay tribute to hcr'tcry real gift for friendship. Her warm personal inlt‘t .1 m our family. her gracious hospitality. and the sp. > or her personality have combined to make these I W. gettable years. We have all heard her say. at conferences anti in. ventions. that the real purpose of the Women's n. mic is to develop people. and to this end she du V-d every effort. In every area. as we travelled. Mi» tr. Kcrcher knew by name the women. who brought me particular talent to the organization: some dislt .u was her specialty. some ability for art. sewing. a. J, research. These women would be sought out til brought to the attention of the visiting officerx .j guests. in such a way that we can be sure it "Mad .L- day" for the person so recognized. 1n the same way. the Home Economists. .. while they understood that excellence was expech n every duty they carried out. were encouraged ant warded by her warmth of interest and appreciatiti their efforts. Every area can recall. no doubt. an instance \ it her quick wit. and the ability to see the humour 1 situation. have turned tense moments to happy i and made presiding officers breathe freely once mil In addition to the purpose of developing > member. was a very real desire to develop a strong ganization. What could have been weary miles i hours of the travel required to reach all the con‘. tions. were spent in discussion of ways and mean I improveâ€"the conventions. the constitution. branch programmes. the 4â€"H and leadership cour the provincial board. the national organization. Tl was never a dull moment. and when the brainstorm was at its peak the miles flew by. and no part Women‘s Institute work escaped the honest Search methods to keep in step with the times. As she retires. we are confident that this inlet will continue. just as we shall continue to apprec: the example of warmth and kindliness she has given us. Our wish for you. at the end of work well done. that you will say. in the words from King Henry “My crown is in my heart. not on my head: Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones. Nor to be seen: my crown is called content: A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy“. “Long may you thrive!"