By Stacie Perreault, Waterdown LEAD Department
As Canadians honoured the country’s independence, SSND Waterdown also celebrated the memories and years spent at beloved Lake Marie. July 1, 2024, marked 60 years of Lake Marie being a part of the Notre Dame family.
Sister Delia recalls when the property was purchased. As a young novice in Kitchener, she had been one of the “guinea pigs” who explored all that the land, house, and lake had to offer.
The land has had a lot of use and seen a lot of love over the years. The Congregation has added accommodations for accessibility and more bathrooms. Lake Marie also has lovely caretakers.
What better way to commemorate the day, than a barbecue? Nearly two dozen Sisters, an Associate, and staff members headed to the Lake for a wonderful experience.
“It really was a glorious day to celebrate Lake Marie's 60th Anniversary,” Sister Yvonne Nosal, the planner behind this party, said. “The weather was great, the food was good, and everyone enjoyed the Quiz.”
Sister Yvonne's Lake trivia-based lake quiz invited story-telling, as did a slideshow of photos she had collected throughout the years. Sisters made burgers and hotdogs, enjoyed some beers on the dock, and sang O’Canada.
The Sisters who could not travel to the Lake also enjoyed the beautiful slideshow presentation by Sister Yvonne with ice cream cake. When they played the quiz, they shared some stories that were not widely known.
It was a beautiful day and a joyous celebration, whether on the Lake or at the Motherhouse!
Sisters sang O Canada in celebration of their love of the land and their memories. Pictured above: Sisters Rosemary Howarth, Marty Kimpel, Margaret Liethen, Elaine Weinstein, Julie Lattner, Janet Disbrowe, Associate Pat Stortz, Charmaine Krohe, Barb Paleczny, Katharine Reiter, Mary Jeanne Davidson, Marylin Fedy, Mary Jane Berges, Yvonne Nosal, Connie Coulter and Delia Calis.
