Genealogy Data Page 757 (Notes Pages)

Rawn Mildred [Female] b. 18 APR 1919 Caledon East, Ontario - d. 9 MAY 1995 Orangeville, Ontario

Source
Title: canada.GED

PRINCIPAL MILDRED PATTERSON WAS 'MRS. PALGRAVE'

By Kay MacDuffee

On May 9, 1995 we lost Mildred Patterson in her 76th year. Mrs Patterson, or "Mrs. Palgrave", as she was affectionately known, was Palgrave School's first principal and remained so for an unprecedented 22 years. This accomplishment at a time (almost 40 years ago) when women at the helm were few in number but mighty in spirit.
She was born Mildred Rawn in Albion Township, fifth generation of a pioneer family. Her own schooling began at the old Dingle Schoolhouse, a one room school to which she travelled on the bare back of a farm horse. Afterwards she went on to Caledon East Continuation School, Orangeville High School and Toronto Normal School, then returned to teach the students of "The Dingle".
In 1954, Mrs. Patterson began her long association with Palgrave School as the primary teacher in a two room school. This original schoolhouse was later dubbed "The Little School" when the new Palgrave School was built in 1966. (It now remains as the Post Office and community centre.) The trustees at the time were planning to bring in a new principal, but the community let out such a cry of outrage that they backed down and Mildred Patterson began her legendary career as principal. At that time she was a "teaching principal", running between classroom and the office adjacent to it.
Mildred and Carson Patterson (retired Town Clerk) were married for almost 50 years and had two children, Robert and Sylvia, and seven grandchildren. She earned her B.Ed degree doing summer courses and night courses at Waterloo Lutheran University, then graduated with her son. She still found time for painting, bridge and travelling.
I have fond personal memories of Mildred Patterson. I see her walking hand-in-hand with Carson (grandparents!). I hear the peels of laughter coming from her office when Dorothy Stewart was school secretary. I see her peel away from the school in her little sports car, leaving students bug-eyed. And most of all I see her, gently but firmly, getting her 'message' across to her students.
I feel blessed that our four children flourished under her love and guidance and I feel privileged to have worked with her. She was a pioneer in so many ways, ahead, as we say, of her time. Mrs. Palgrave will be greatly missed.

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