Henriette A. McGarry CBE

Henriette Phillips was born in Merritton and after graduation from St. Joseph’s Convent, Toronto, she taught school in Niagara Falls. In 1921 she moved to Kitchener with her husband Patrick J. McGarry who was assistant city engineer. For her work as national president of the Catholic Women’s League during the Second World War, she received the Commander of the British Empire Order decoration and the Papal “pro ecclesia et pontifice” citation. She was the first woman to be elected chairman of the K-W High School Board which she served for twenty-five years.

Her warmth, graciousness, sincerity and ability to create good relations between board, staff and students were noted when she retired in 1962. She served the K-W Family Service Bureau, the Kitchener Catholic Welfare Bureau, the St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary and the Carmel Guild. In 1957 she was named the K-W Quota Club’s Woman of the year.