Skip to content

Ponoka Legion bestows lifetime membership

The newest Ponoka Royal Canadian Legion life membership has been presented to Marlene Perry.
20346807_web1_200205-PON-LegionLifeMember_1
Marlene Perry recently received a life membership from the Ponoka Legion Branch No. 66. L-R: Dorothy Houghton, president Lee Arnold, Craig Paterson and Perry. Photo submitted

The newest Ponoka Royal Canadian Legion life membership has been presented to Marlene Perry.

Perry became a member of the Ponoka Branch No. 66 in March of 2006 and has been as involved with the Legion activities as she has been in the community.

After graduating from the University of Alberta, Perry began her career as a teacher who strongly supported school activities, which continued after becoming a mother and a homemaker.

She helped coach ball for several years and was heavily involved in a local group formed to enrich the lives of people dealing with mental and physical challenges.

In addition, Perry has been a blood donor for many years and continues to be a faithful member of the St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, where she has helped with catering and as an usher.

She has also served on the board of the Ponoka Covered Wagon Society, delivers for the Meals on Wheels program and opened her home to visiting out-of-town family or friends of patients at the Centennial Centre where Perry used to work.

As well, Perry continues to help others by transporting local seniors to appointments, assisting them with household chores and doing anything that will help improve their quality of life.

That level of community involvement transferred to the Legion when Perry joined.

She has been the chairperson of the Sick, Visiting and Transient Committee since 2009 and chairperson of the Poppy Committee since 2011, was second vice-president from 2011 to 2013 and branch chair from 2014 to 2019.

Leading the Poppy Committee is a tremendously huge effort — from organizing the distribution of poppies and wreathes to local businesses and other groups to being responsible for the Remembrance Day poster and literary contest to organizing speakers, the annual service at the Legion and the potluck dinner as well as researching and recommending the distribution of the funds raised.

On top of this, Perry helps out at some of the Legion’s monthly bingo’s, works at the weekly suppers, assists with various aspects of the Legion’s Ponoka Stampede week activities and generally helps with whatever is required.

- Submitted by Ponoka Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 66