Marion Loretta Reid

REID, C.M, O.P.E.I., LL.D., HONOURABLE MARION LORETTA, educator; b. 4 January 1929 in North Rustico, daughter of Michael Doyle and Josephine Loretta Whelan; m. 1949, Lea Reid, and they had eight children, Maureen, Colleen, Kevin, Bethany, Mary Lee, David, Andrew, and Tracey; Roman Catholic. Reid, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1979 for 1st Queens. She was re-elected in the general elections of 1982 and 1986. She was defeated in the general election of 1989. In 1979 Reid was appointed Deputy Speaker, making her the first woman in provincial history to serve in this position. On 18 March 1983, she became the first female Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. From 1986 to 1989, Reid was Opposition House Leader. As a Member, she served on various committees, including the Standing Committee on Education, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, and the Standing Committee on Tourism and Parks. Reid was a delegate to Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conferences in Canada, Kenya, Westminster, and the Isle of Man. On 16 August 1990, she was sworn in as the first female Lieutenant-Governor in the Island's history. Reid has lived in North Rustico, Hope River, and Charlottetown. She received her early education at North Rustico and Stella Maris Schools. Reid attended Prince of Wales College from 1944 to 1946. obtaining a first class teaching license. In1972 she took a leave from teaching and returned to the University of Prince Edward Island to obtain a Certificate Five teachers license. During her education, Reid won the John H. Bell debate prize, the Lo'd Strathcona prize, and a Scholarship for Academic Excellence. She was a teacher for 21 years, and for the last three was principal of St. Ann's Elementary School. Reid was an active member in teaching and professional organizations. From 1970 until lc77, she was a member of the board of governors ind secretary of the Prince Edward Island Teacher's Federation. Reid served on the curriculum committee, the teacher recruitment team, the negotiation strategy committee, and the status of women committee of the Prince Edward Island Teacher's Federation. Reid had an interest in many community activities. She was a member of the Charlottetown Zonta Club, President and Life Member of the Stirling Women's Institute, a leader in 4-H work, a founding member of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, a member of the Board of Governors of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, and a member of the Wanda Wyatt Scholarship Foundation. Reid has chaired the Premier's Action Committee on the Prevention of Family Violence. She has served as an honourary patron of Laubach Literacy of Canada, the Prince Edward Island Royal Canadian Legion, the Girl Guides of Canada, the Prince Edward Island Council of Scouts Canada, and she was presented a life membership in the PEI Wildlife Association. Other honours include an appointment to the Order of Canada in 1996, the Prince Edward Island Medal of Merit in 1997, an honourary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Prince Edward Island, the Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Charlottetown Rotary Club, the Toastmasters International Communications and Leadership Award (District 45), and the Rural Beautification W. R. Shaw Award. Reid was invested in 1991 as Dame of Grace in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1992, Reid received the 125th Commemorative Medal. On 28 March 2001, she was the first Island recipient of the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Award. Marion Reid currently resides in Stanley Bridge. Lea Reid was the son of Leander Reid and Florence Turner of Hope River. He died on 6 July 1999.