Event Date : Wednesday, July 08, 1981
Event Type : Death

Description : Former owner, publisher, and editor of The Bradford Witness, Ina McKenzie, died last Wednesday, July 8, after a lengthy illness. She was 89. Born Ina Galbraith in Paisley, Bruce County, Mrs. McKenzie learned to be independent at an early age after the death of her father at age 29. Her mother, a school teacher, struggled to raise her and younger sister Donalda. "I went into teaching as well because there was nothing else a girl at that time could do except become a nurse" Mrs. McKenzie remarked in an interview before her death. She taught for several years in the tough downtown Toronto core where her students included the famous Conacher brothers. "They were wonderful boys. Perhaps a bit mischievious though" she recalled laughing. After marrying her childhood sweetheart Stewart McKenzie (who died in 1975) she left teaching to move to Detroit with her husband."All that time - it was in the 1920s - Detroit was a boom town. Everyone was playing the stock market and making a great deal of money - on paper at any rate. Stewart got a job on a financial publication called Saturday Night."Mr. McKenzie had an extensive background in the newspaper business. His father had owned the Paisley Advocate.While in Detroit the stock market crashed and Mr. McKenzie because he was a Canadian citizen was in danger of losing his job."I told Stewart 'Let's look for a business now while you've still got a job' so we went on vacation and looked at what appeared to be a very prosperous newspaper in Trenton" Mrs. McKenzie remembered.However being a very astute business woman she noted that the paper printed a great deal of political material that would come to a halt if the government changed. They decided to look elsewhere.Bradford was their next stop."When we arrived in Bradford it was a beautiful day" she recalled. However the condition of The Bradford Witness was something else again."Stewart went in and told me 'The machinery is a disgrace'" she remembered but they loved the little town and decided to stay contributing greatly to its prosperity and growth over the years.In those first years of the Depression Bradford was little more than a main street the lower end shabby the western portion relatively prosperous she recalled. "Everything was booming when we arrived in Bradford." Mrs. McKenzie noted. "But shortly after many people were in dire poverty. If we would have collected what was on our books we could have retired however people gave what they could."During this time they relocated the paper's office from Holland St. to Barrie St. (where the European Bakery is currently located) remaining there until they retired in 1968 selling the paper to Gerry Barker.Before deteriorating eyesight hampered her activities Mrs. McKenzie was extremely active in various organizations in Bradford. During the Second World War she headed the Bradford chapter of the Canadian Red Cross. She was a charter member of the West Gwillimbury chapter of IODE and a past president of the Bradford Women's Institute. She also taught Sunday School at the Bradford United Church. One of the driving forces behind fund-raising efforts for the Bradford Community Centre. Mrs. McKenzie also lent her considerable energies and intelligence to the Hurricane Hazel flood relief program and various other community projects. Ina McKenzie is survived by her sister Donalda Crosbie of Toronto nephew Robert W. Crosbie and good friend Ella Langford of Bradford. She was also great-aunt to Alexander George and Cynthia. Friends called at the Lathangue and Skwarchuk Funeral Home and a service conducted by Rev. G. McFarlane was held in the chapel on Friday July 10. She was buried next to her husband at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.Donations to the West Gwillimbury chapter of IODE would be appreciated.

Copy of the 1870 book "The Light in the East" by Rev. John Fleetwood, belonging to the Bradford United Church. Edited and compiled by Rev. Arthur P. Hayes (from what was initially printed via subscription). 200+ engraved illustrations inside. Bound in an elaborately embossed and gilded cover, with the text block decorated with gilt edges.

Framed photograph of Rev. Dan. Norman and his wife, Mrs. Norman. Rev. Norman was a missionary in Japan, whose missionary trips were funded in part by Methodist Congregations in Bradford. He sometimes sent letters or gave presentations in the area about his work in Japan.

Writing on the back of the frame in green is partially rubbed off, with the illegible words replaced in pencil. It reads: "Rev Mr. Norman visited Schomberg in 1924 and was entertained by Mr. + Mrs. Skinner. His last visit." Additional writing underneath in pencil reads: "PICTURE OF:- REV. DAN. NORMAN & HIS WIFE, MISSIONARY TO JAPAN. SUPPORTED BY THE EPWORTH LEAGUES OF THE BRADFORD DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. (IN WHICH SCHOMBERG METHODIST CHURCH HAD A LARGE PART.)."

Copy of a Family Bible printed in 1880, with custom-ordered embossed leather binding, with gilt decoration on front. Pasted on the inside of the front cover is a leather book label with gilt lettering that reads: " Presented to the Mount Pleasant Branch of Christ Church by the junior members of the church as a token of affectionate remembrance of a dear friend". This is likely in reference to Ena Stoddart, who moved away from the area after her marriage in 1888. This is likely the Bible that was presented in her honour, as reported in The Witness. The book contains many engraved illustrations, including a coloured frontispiece. At the back there is a board for family portraits, decorated with illumination and with the portrait spots left empty. The edges of the text block are also gilded.

A copy of "Service Book for the use of the people" published in 1969by the Committee on Worship of the United Church of Canada. The front of the book contains a paper book label stating the book was presented to the Bradford United Church by Jean E. Gordon, "in loving memory of her parents William T. & Lena E. Clubine." The top edge has remnants of a "Bradford United Church" stamp.