Pat Quinney - Memories of Dorothy Quinney

One of the many things that we are so proud of as children/grandchildren of Bill and Dorothy is their missionary experience to Winnipeg in 1990-1991. They lived in St. Joseph, which is the Canadian side of the border at International Falls, Minnesota. They were there serving the indigenous people of the area.

One of the choicest memories was watching their grandchildren sing “Grandma and Grandpa are going away on a mission” at their farewell in Boise during the summer of 1990.

I thought it would be appropriate to share with the family what our mother was doing on January 24^th, 1991 (her 65^th birthday) during their mission. Our father wrote us a letter that day giving us the daily events. It is nothing momentous but it was a snippet out of her life on her birthday.

Jan. 24, 1991

“It’s mom’s birthday today…She is 39 and a little. We didn’t even have a cake, let alone a candle. We could have used the candle for heat; it has dropped down to -35 F, again. We just had our day of January thaw. For her birthday party we were invited to “Honor the Clergy Day” with all the ministers from Fort Frances. As usual mom charmed them so I didn’t get kicked out. We were treated best by the Catholic priest and Lutheran Minister. There were a couple of them who were quite stiff-necked. They ignored us.

We have been celebrating the birthday by pitching baskets…Mom is about ready for the pro’s. (There are lots of meanings for pro) [My attempts at humor were dumb]. Make up your own. I really can make a basket once in a while. It’s what we do for exercise. The church basketball court is one basket in a 30x60 room.

(Mom takes over writing the letter at this point)

The genealogy computer finally came. We should maybe get it set up this weekend. Then we will have a new toy.

We are going to Whitefish for church Sunday. Hope we don’t freeze on the way. Another talk to prepare.

I have to give a lesson in Relief Society Wed. then have another Zone conference interview that afternoon, and Young Women’s program at night. Thurs. is zone conf. all day. Other than that we’re not busy (ha ha). We love you all,

Mom, Dad – Gram, Gramp