The Quyon Lionettes announced last week that after 41 years of service, they would be dissolving the club, a decision that was made at their November meeting.
“The membership declined over the years as members aged and were forced to resign due to health conditions, some passing away while still members as well,” Lionettes president Jennifer Larose wrote in a statement to THE EQUITY. “Attempts to keep the club active were made by reaching out to residents but were not successful.”
The Shawville Lionettes shut down for similar reasons a few years ago. Still standing are the Bryson Lionettes.
An article published on the occasion of the Quyon Lionettes’ 25th anniversary, which appeared in the June 11, 2008 issue of this newspaper, recalled the early days of the club.
“It all started back in 1983 when, under the guidance of the Shawville Lionettes, a group of interested women gathered at Mona MacKechnie’s house to discuss their plans,” the article reported, noting that according to Lionette Anne Clark, the club recruited all summer and got their charter on Oct. 22, 1983, with a total of 21 members. MacKechnie was their first president. A photo of the six remaining charter remembers in 2008 ran with the story. They were Anne Clarke, Glenna Campbell, Donna Provost, Mona MacKechnie, Pat Lusk and Alice Dolan.
“Over the past 41 years, the Lionettes did an annual duck race, murder mysteries, golf tournaments, community day meals, MNA breakfast, car rallies only to name a few of the activities which were a big part of fundraisers,” Larose said in her statement. Money raised was donated to the local schools and the Pontiac Hospital, as well as to healthcare organizations beyond the borders served by the club.
“Thank you to both past and present members as well as the community who supported all the fundraisers, it was greatly appreciated,” Larose said.
She explained a unanimous vote by the Lionettes determined the club’s remaining funds would be distributed equally between the three schools in the Municipality of Pontiac as well as the Pontiac Hospital Foundation.
