The evening of March 14, 1943 would be the beginning of a long and lovely partnership. Seventeen-year-old Ray Mainland and his friend Ross drove to Arthur to pick up Ray’s cousin Donelda. On learning they were going to a dance in Teviotdale Daisy Turner, who boarded in the same house as Donelda, thought she should go too. She did – a perfect ending to her 16th birthday celebration that day.
Ray farmed with his father on the 16th Concession of Maryborough Township. Daisy, at age 17, started teaching at Orchard School, north of Mount Forest. The couple continued dating and decided to marry. Damascus United Church was the scene of their wedding on August 24th, 1946.
After their marriage they moved in with Ray’s parents. Ray continued to farm and Daisy to teach, until the birth of their daughter, Mary, the following year. One year later their son Peter was born. In that same year, the Cooper Farm down the road came up for sale so Ray and Daisy went ahead and bought their first farm. Sadness came soon though with the passing of their young son Peter. But then, their family was blessed with the arrival of their son Tom in 1951.
Ray and Daisy worked hard building their herd of Holstein cattle. Eventually they purchased a second farm and Maindell Holsteins came into being. Due to illness the farms were sold in 1966 and the couple moved to Arthur. Daisy continued to teach and on her retirement bought a jewellery store. Ray went into real estate, eventually forming his own company.
From early on, dinners with the Mainlands were fun and much anticipated. Exciting and thought provoking debates were the norm; frequent differences of opinion arose but everyone’s ideas were heard and respected. Ray and Daisy lived this principle every day of their lives, particularly in election years. They rode to the poll in the same car and then faithfully cancelled each others vote.
They both enjoyed travelling. They experienced the beauty of Canada and many parts of the world. Their favourite places, after Arthur of course, were Prince Edward Island and New Zealand.
They also welcomed and enjoyed having their family and friends visit their cottage in Port Elgin and their home in Arizona.
Ray and Daisy were Charter Members of Heritage River Retirement Home in Elora. They truly cared for the staff and other residents during their time there. Since 2013 they have enjoyed living at Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home.
Ray and Daisy’s children haven’t moved too far from home. Tom and Jill live in Kincardine.
Their granddaughter Tara, her husband Spencer and their son Bingham have a horse farm near Kincardine.
Mary and Gord live in Elora.
Ray and Daisy have been an amazing couple since that dance in Teviotdale many years ago. On Aug. 24 they will celebrate 70 years together of lives well lived and full of love.
Their family and friends wish them good health and much happiness on their special day.
Submitted by Mary Dingman
