“I think I need to get out my pirate costume,” the 2009 Centre Wellington Citizen-of-the-Year said – just after the shock of surprise wore off.
Mary Lloyd was referring to the township Chamber of Commerce gala coming up that features a pirate theme this year.
It is where the chamber honours individuals such as Lloyd, as well as celebrating success in business in the community every April.
For someone as involved as Lloyd in community events, it came as no shock when she said of that event, “I called today and booked my tickets.”
Lloyd was ambushed in downtown Fergus by chamber regulars and media.
It has become tradition that the Citizen-of-the-Year is taken by surprise in one way or another.
But those who nominated and saluted Lloyd pointed out that she is well qualified for the honour.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said she admired the way Lloyd led the Fergus 175 anniversary celebration committee last year, and particularly how she managed to be a part of so many diverse celebrations.
Ross-Zuj told Lloyd, “You deserve it. It was a pleasure to ambush you.”
In the nominations, Fergus and District Kinsman president Dan Goodwin noted that Lloyd has been a member and volunteer with the club for 20 years.
“Over the years, Mary has offered her assistance freely in matters of bookkeeping, Smart Serve Trainer, and has been involved in many club service projects over the years,” Goodwin wrote.
Simon Liebovitz, a board member of Elora Community Theatre, cited Lloyd for her volunteer work in that group.
“On at least two occasions when I have served as a show director at ETC, Mary, in a volunteer capacity, supported my efforts as my producer with her excellent organizational skills,” Liebovitz wrote.
Neighbour Ruth Sproule said, “She is a busy little bee with lots and lots of participation in community projects as well as her normal church, theatre, and work schedule.”
Rachel Thompson, manager of the Hillside Festival, said of Lloyd, “Mary is one of those ‘behind the scenes’ volunteers’ who make Hillside run positively and professionally.”
Lynn Boland Richardson, a Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games organizer, called Lloyd “a stellar community supporter and volunteer excelling in all areas of Centre Wellington life …”
Julie Cookson, the chief operating officer for Canadian Cystic Fibrosis, lauded Lloyd for her work for that group, hosting two fundraisers, an oldies 1150 radio reunion dance and the J.M Kropf Fall Classic for CF Golf Tournament, both of which attract capacity crowds.
As for Lloyd, she said, “I am just overwhelmed and full of gratitude for what Fergus gives to me.”
She added, to her husband, Bruce, “You’re pretty good at keeping secrets.
He said that was not easy, because he learned a week in advance that Mary was selected.
The couple work together, too, so he said it was particularly difficult.
He noted that Mary Lloyd is also involved in such things as the Fergus Santa Claus parade, Kin Canada, and Faith FM radio.
“Some of them are going on 20 years,” he said of her volunteer activities.
Mary Lloyd grew up on a farm near Chatham, and said she and Bruce decided to move back to his home town in 1986.
She added that their children immediately became involved in soccer, swimming and lacrosse, and that helped her get involved in the community.
“It’s always felt like home here,” she said.
