Friends

Melvin Smith, my father-in-law, was a gregarious person. The second oldest of seven children, he was accustomed to lots of people around with his siblings and their friends. He loved a crowd, happiest when he was in a group of people. After he retired, if Melvin and Sylvia had a few nights home alone, he wanted to play bridge, visit friends or have people into their home.

                  Carl and Jean Mercer

Melvin and Sylvia had a group of friends who they socialized with for years. Each of the women regularly cooked for the rest of the group. There were often eighteen for supper when your turn came around. Usually they played cards afterwards.

        Bill Martin, Melvin Smith, Jane Martin

The Smiths also bowled, attended Church and Melvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than fifty years. Syvia was part of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Masonic Lodge. The result was a very active social life which Melvin and Sylvia both loved. 

               Max and Emily Mullett 

Sylvia's brother Carl and his wife, Jean, were part of this large group of friends as well. Besides the Mercers, there were the Gregorys, Bartletts, Prettys, Martins, Mulletts, Leggs, Kings.

  Clyde, Shirley King, Melvin, Sylvia, Arch and Mary Legge

Over the last number of years, several members of the group died, some are in hospital or moved away after the death of the spouse. Then Melvin died and Sylvia moved to Prince Edward Island. Losing Melvin was difficult enough but she lost her friends too.

     Olga Pretty, Classie Mercer, Cliff Pretty

However, on the day she moved into her garden apartment in Prince Edward Island, a neighbour introduced herself to Sylvia and that was the start of new friendships here. Friends, whether old or new, can help you through some of your most difficult times. One of the great treasures in life is the company of a true friend.

      John Gregory, Melvin Smith, Lola Gregory

Note:  The Prettys mentioned in this post are distant cousins of my family. We are descended from the same Samuel and Elizabeth Pretty of Dildo, Newfoundland, and their children born around 1800, but we don't know from which of the children they come. My family comes from Joseph and Catherine.

     Ross, Joan Bartlett, Sylvia, Melvin Smith

Happy birthday, Joan. You are a woman of incredible spirit, strength, determination, love and friendship. We hope you have the best birthday ever.