Admaston/Bromley returns from the weekend mourning the loss of former Mayor Raye-Anne Briscoe, who died on Thursday, August 7th.
Current Mayor Michael Donohue remembers Briscoe, a former teacher who first dipped into municipal politics as a councillor in the 1970s, as a dedicated leader and friend whose no-nonsense attitude demanded her fellow politicians be ready to discuss the issues that mattered to the community.
Briscoe would step away from local politics for 20 years after losing her first bid to become Reeve of Admaston, continuing to serve local interests as an advocate for the local dairy union, Ontario Drainage Board, and helped recruit many doctors through the Renfrew Health Village before eventually returning to become Deputy Reeve and eventually Reeve starting in 1994.
Donohue says she quickly became an unflappable voice during uncertain times for the township, such as the massive ice storm that hit just after she became Reeve, although she was always quick to deflect the credit to others.
However, Donohue believes Briscoe’s greatest legacy will be empowering and mentoring a generation of women to become active in local politics and public institutions, sowing the seeds for future leaders while demanding women’s voices be heard over the chauvinism she faced in both her attempts to become Reeve.
Flags at municipal buildings in Admaston/Bromley were at half-mast as of the weekend. Meanwhile, a celebration of life has been set for 11:00am this Tuesday, August 12th, at Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church in Renfrew.
(written by Kasey Egan)
