Jimmie and Ethel took every opportunity to learn, to be a family, to be a friend, and to enjoy their own and the achievements of others. They devoted their lives to becoming the very best they could be, in their own families, their community, their province, and their country.
The Jimmie and Ethel Anderson Memorial Fund was established in celebration of the 100th Anniversary in 2009 of the establishment of the town of Unity, where Jimmie and Ethel built their lives together. The purpose of the fund is to further assist the people of Unity and surrounding area to build a creative and healthy community, with opportunities for individuals to find their voice and inspire others to find theirs.
Jimmie (1898-1977), was born in Oban, Scotland, the fifth son and seventh child in a family that immigrated to the Scotstown District west of Unity in the early 1900s. He enlisted in the army at a young age, but a medical discharge kept him from joining his brothers overseas. He became an electrician, and a film projectionist and pianist for silent films, among other things, before becoming Manager of the National Grain Elevator in Unity from where he retired in 1963. He was active in his church, was Past Master of the Unity Meridian Lodge No. 73. An avid sportsman he especially liked to curl and golf. A favourite community project was helping to build the Unity golf course.
Barbara Ethel (Dickson) (1911-1996), was born in Adanac, the second oldest and first daughter of Scottish immigrants. She attended school in Tako and Unity, worked in Unity while attending high school, and was the winner of a first prize in a provincial oratory contest in 1927. She worked in the local telephone office, in Parr’s Store and, beginning in the mid 1950s, with Canada Post in Unity from where she retired in the early 1970s. She and Jimmie raised two children, a son and a daughter. She was active in her church, was Past Worthy Matron. She was a member of the Womens Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and worked diligently to promote the Hospital Building Project in Unity in the mid-1990s.