Eastern Star History People

EASTERN STAR HISTORY

MILL VALLEY CHAPTER NO. 219 - PEOPLE

In one hundred years , there have been 100 Worthy Matrons, 100 Worthy Patrons, 1800 Officers and hundreds of members who have added to the growth of our Chapter. In the little time that we have today, it is not possible to tell you about every one so Shirley Harris, provided a few of the highlights:

One of the first noteworthy occasions was on the very first day in 1904 when Past Grand Matron Mable Boyd Seymour was among the Grand Officers exemplifying the Initiatory work. She was the Sister of Mary (Minnie) Seymour who became the first Worthy Matron Of Mill Valley Chapter. Minnie became a candidate for Worthy Grand Matron in 1914. The Chapter did not see much of her the next year as she was busy traveling the state.

Maude Cooke was the first Mill Valley member to receive a Grand Office. She served as Grand Esther in 1912.

Robert Haake served as Associate Grand Patron for the year of 1918. It was the norm in those days to just serve one year in the Grand West or Grand East.

In 1920 , Louise Aitchison who was Worthy Matron, asked her Worthy Patron Harry Symonds to relinquish his Station for a night so that Her husband, William Aitchison could confer the degrees on their son Stanley. The Aitchisons were my Grandparents and the son my Father. The family goes back a long way in this chapter. My Dad became the Worthy Patron in 1925 with Viva Creighton who decided that the chapter needed to have more fun. They had many party nights that year. I suspect that Stan had something to do with that as he certainly loved to party. His wife, my Mom, also was a member of the chapter and served as a Star Point several times.

Harry Symonds served in the East again in 1938 with his daughter Dorothy Symonds. He was the first Worthy Patron to repeat a year in the East. Dorothy Symonds served in the East again in 1983 – an interval of 45 years.

The year that Fodie Voights ( a name very familiar to some of us) served in the East, 1945, she was also the Guardian of Mill Valley Bethel No. 119 which she and Florence McCourtney started in 1936.

In 1965 a Ceremony of Initiation and Affiliation was held for five members of the same family, Dianne, Pamela, Orletha and Ed Windsor and Vrela Shy (Orletha’s mother). Orletha and Ed went on to be Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1972 and they served as Hostess and Historian at the Chapter’s 75th Birthday celebration in 1979. Orletha was appointed Grand Esther in 1976. She was honored at a reception attended by more than 500 people including all of the 1976 Grand Officers.

Clara-Belle Hamilton had the distinction , in 1971, of being the first 50 year member to be installed Worthy Matron. Four years later Clara-Bell had the honor of being named Grand Representative of Ontario, Canada and she was the only member of Mill Valley Chapter to be a 75 year plus member of the Chapter.

Pat and Howard Stahl were in the East in 1973 and were the second couple to initiate an offspring, daughter Patty, into the Chapter. Sister Pat was honored by an appointment as Deputy Grand Matron in 1977 and again served the Chapter in 1987. Now Brother Howard was elected in 1974 to go back into the West when the Associate Patron resigned and he went on to serve in the East (for Mill Valley and Fairfax Chapters) for 14 times serving with wife Pat and with Daughter Patty and then there was the rest of his harem.

Aldine Sutton was Worthy Matron in 1979. She said that the highlight of her year was installing her daughter and son-in-law, Fay and Harry Thomas as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron for the following year. Their funniest moment was when they found that during the installation, their car had been TP’d, high school style, by the Redwood Empire Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons.

Ella Umland served in 1975 and then served again in 1979. She and Bill Bromm were the Presiding Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron for our 75th year celebration. It was noted in the minutes in 1984 that Tami and Bill Bromm were celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary. We are so glad that they can be with us here today and we can wish them a happy 27th anniversary this year.

Morris Burch first served as Worthy Patron in 1957 with our hostess today, Francis Foster. He served with his wife Phyllis in 1978 and again in 1985. Marion Babbie first served the Chapter in 1986 and then again in 1990 when she said that the highlight of her year was when she and Morris ran away to Reno and she became Mrs. Marion Babbie-Burch. Morris went on to serve the chapter nine times as Worthy Patron. He was well known for his ready wit, down to earth remarks and excellent ritual work. Unfortunately Marion is not here today as she has moved to Vermont.

Marsha Price, our present Worthy Matron, has served in the East five times starting in 1982 and timing this year to coincide with the Centennial. She has devoted a great deal of time and energy to keep this Chapter functioning. Her current goal is to get our membership back up to 100 active members.

Saving the best for last – let’s talk about Laura McCourtney. She was initiated in 1939 and became the chapter Organist in 1943. She played for the institution of Fairfax Chapter in 1954 – thus earning the Title of Grand Organist for one day. She has always been Grand to us. In 1986 the Chapter gave a "This is Your Life Laura McCourtney" performance to celebrate her 43rd year as Chapter Organist. In 1993 she was given a plaque commemorating her 50 years of keeping our toes tapping. The chapter retired her Badge and had it mounted on a plaque in honor of her years of service. She continued to play for the Chapter through 2001 and chose not to be installed in 2002. She is now a 65 year member of the Order and we welcome her here today to help us celebrate our 100th year.