BARRHEAD - It was a day Sue Rees knew would come but knowing that did not make it any easier.
Late in the morning on Sept. 8, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's head of state, passed away at her Balmoral Castle residence in Scotland. She was 96.
The Barrhead Leader spoke to Rees shortly after the announcement.
Rees is a British expat who first came to Canada and Barrhead in 1981 as an exchange teacher for a year. Two years later, she relocated permanently, taking a position at Fort Assiniboine School.
It was a difficult day for Rees.
"I admit to being a bit emotional," she said, adding there had been some tears. "I'm definitely a monarchist. The Queen is the only monarch I have ever known, so her passing leaves a big hole in my life. Today a lot of British people, myself included, and those with British heritage and those in the Commonwealth, are feeling a profound sense of loss."
Rees felt the monarchy was especially important to the generation who lived through the Second World War because of the example the Royal Family set when they refused to leave London.
"The (Canadian Armed Forces servicepeople) signed up because of the monarchy. When my neighbour (George McKenzie, a D-Day veteran) discussed what flag he wanted on his coffin, the Maple Leaf or the Union Jack, he said 'no question, the Union Jack’, and that was because of the monarchy."
Rees added one of the reasons she believes the Queen was so beloved, in addition to her longevity, was the sense of consistency and fair play that she brought to the role.
"She never talked about anything political. She always remained neutral, helping (Britain) remain at an even keel," she said.
Sonny Rajoo, a former reporter with the Barrhead Leader, was also saddened to hear the news of the Queen's passing.
Rajoo, who is originally from South Africa, worked with the Westlock News and the Athabasca Advocate, most of the time in sales. Currently, Rajoo lives in Two Hills, where he has been a long-time municipal councillor.
Rajoo called the Leader to reminisce about when he met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her three-city (Calgary, Red Deer and Ottawa) four-day visit in 1990. Rajoo caught up to her during a tea in the ballroom of Calgary's Palliser Hotel on June 27. Al Blackmere, the Leader's publisher, with the help of Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Ken Kowalski was able to get him press credentials.
"I have been and always be a staunch monarchist," he said, attributing it partly because he grew up in Zulu-Natal, a former British Colony. "I was fascinated with the royal family and everything English, including having tea and crumpets."
During his brief conversation with the Queen, he told her how disappointed he was that South Africa had become a republic in 1961 when he was 11 years old and, as a result, he no longer could call her his "Sovereign and would no longer be able to sing “God Save the Queen” at school."
"Then I told her how happy I was to be in Canada, a place where I could once again call her my 'Sovereign Majesty'," Rajoo said.
Other local reaction
Town of Barrhead mayor Dave McKenzie also voiced his sadness upon hearing of the Queen's death through a statement posted on the municipality's website.
"With residents of Barrhead, I express my sympathy at the death of our long-reigning Sovereign," he said. "We recognize her unobtrusive nature in reigning over her Commonwealth with a moral sense and eloquent delivery of the messages that subtly shaped our nation and democracy. As Queen, she represented class, respect and dignity in the lifelong service she gave to her people, charities, and parliament. May she rest in peace. Long live the King."
Following federal and provincial half-staffing etiquette, the Town of Barrhead's flags will be at half-staff for the regal mourning period of 10 days. Following the accession day of King Charles III, the flags will return to full staff.
Peace River-Westlock MP and Neerlandia native Arnold Viersen voiced similar statements via a Sept. 9 media release.
"I want to extend my deepest condolences to the Royal Family of Queen Elizabeth II, Defender of the Faith and Queen of Canada. For 70 years, the Queen served with honour, grace and dignity," he said. "I am particularly grateful for the stability Queen Elizabeth provided and the many virtues she modelled including selflessness, perseverance, kindness, duty, truth, justice, charity, and courage. We live in a time when these are sorely lacking, and Her Majesty’s incredible example will be deeply missed."
