07/19/11

WORTHY GRAND MATRON - JANE WOOLDRIDGE

Sister Jane became a member of Crystal Chapter # 1(PEI) in November of 1964.  She held the offices of Ruth, Electa and Chaplain, before being elected to the office of Associate Conductress in 1969.  She continued to the East becoming Worthy Matron with Brother John England as Worthy Patron (1972-73).  Jane received a two year Grand Representative commission to Louisiana in 1980. She was elected as Associate Conductress a second time in 2004, serving with Brother Zeke Eaton as her Worthy Patron (2007-08).  She served as Grand Chaplain for Sister Marion Miller, and Brother John Patterson in 2005-06.  Jane was elected as Associate Grand Conductress in July 2008, Grand Conductress in July 2009, Associate Grand Matron in July 2010, and Worthy Grand Matron in July 2011.

Jane was born in Ottawa, Ontario, where her parents moved out of necessity to take jobs with the Federal Government during the war years, but they were quick to accept a transfer “back home” to Prince Edward Island at the first opportunity.  Following her school years in Charlottetown, Jane trained as an office Secretary, and worked at the Prince Edward Island Hospital X-Ray Department, and Revenue Canada, Taxation.  Following her marriage in 1971 to Donnie Wooldridge, and the birth of their daughter in 1973, Jane and Donnie decided that she should stay home, and care for their family, and they became Foster Parents.  After 24 years, caring for 58 foster children, mostly infants, Jane retired as a foster parent, to care for her Mother.

Jane is a member and Elder of St. James Presbyterian Church (The Kirk), in Charlottetown, belongs to the Presbyterian Women’s Group, and sits on the Worship and Music Committee.  She is also a member of Harrington Women’s Institute.

Jane’s daughter Dawna and her husband Sheldon, live in Kingston, Nova Scotia, with their children Colby, Maya, and Eliot.  Their son David lives in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, with his wife Becca and son Tanton.