Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Yesterday, I received some bad news; it was very sad news. Anne Jarrett passed away. She was 106.

She was a great lady in our community, one that many of us politicians, whether it was at any level of government—municipal, federal or provincial—often took the time to talk to when we would visit a cherished institution in our community, Carleton Lodge, off of Prince of Wales in Barrhaven.

Anne was remarkable because, at her age—I’ve been able to share with her many of her birthdays after she turned 100—she would often tell us stories about her life and what it was like. She was a remarkable treasure. She came to Canada, as many did, from England would often tell us stories about her life and what it was like. She was a remarkable treasure. She came to Canada, as many did, from England when she was—she was born in 1905, so when she was eight years old. She attended Lisgar Collegiate which is an important school still today in Ottawa.

But what was really remarkable about Anne Jarrett was, she worked for external affairs. She worked directly for Lester B. Pearson first when he was first secretary and later as secretary of state. She got to work on Parliament Hill in the east block, which is now home to most of Canada’s senators. She worked right next to the office of Mackenzie King when he was Prime Minister at the time. She was still devoted to her family and still very devoted to her extracurricular activities, which included, they say, dating and recreation.

She also had this great experience in 1943 when she was invited to the Quebec conference, which was an important meeting concerning the war, which was held by President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Prime Minister King. In 1945, she was asked to go to San Francisco for three months to help with the birth of the United Nations.

If you can believe that living history that those of us in Nepean–Carleton were able to witness so many years later in her life. She was married to Gordon McDonald, who was an RCMP officer for 25 years. Upon his death, she remarried Walter Jarrett at the age of 71 and spent another 25 years with him. He passed away many years ago, but as I said, she contributed to our community.

She’s been a friend and, I must say, I’ll miss her dearly, as I know all of her residents and friends will at Carleton Lodge. After 106 years on this planet earth, she’s decided it’s time to go to a place that’s better than this. We’ll miss her humour, her smile and here love of life. I know all members of this Legislature thank Anne and those of her generation for building this great nation and this great province.