Elizabeth (Beth) Riddoch

Beth Riddoch helped bring the girl guide movement to the north part of Calgary. We have recently named our district after her. When I was at the Glenbow museum doing research on her I found the memorial address for her, dated February 25, 1971, by Ruby B. Bishop. Here it is:

Last May, and no doubt in company with many of you who are here, I attended the Burial Services for Beth Riddoch.

At the beginning of the service there was an unhappy moment, but quickly I recalled the words, "Let not your heart be troubled." Then I thought,, this out to be a service of Praise and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving for the life of Beth Riddoch.

It was in the summer of 1928 that I first met Beth. She was young, with all the hipes and aspirations for the future that is the privilege of youth.

The Movement had come to Canada in 1910 and one of the Pioneers in Calgary Guiding was Mrs. R. C. Heard who lived in South Calgary. But on the North Side was another woman who gave much to promote and develop guiding. This was Mrs. Brown and I believe it was Mrs. Brown who guided the footsteps of the young Guide, Beth Riddoch. It could well have been Mrs. Heard who enrolled Beth, yet I have always held the thought that it was Mrs. Brown. According to information given to me in 1930, I learned that Mrs. Heard had organized the first real Guide Camp and at the time (1930) only 2 of the original campers were still active. Beth and Roma Townsend. Miss Townshend still lives in Calgary. So perhaps it would be right to say that from that experience - was born Beth's great love of Camping.

One thing is sure - the seeds sown on this fertile ground - by Mrs. Heard and Mrs. Brown brought forth fruit in due season - and these 2 women had built better than they knew! Guiding quietly moved on - new - not only in Calgary - but comparatively so in Canada. We were all learning and there was so much to learn. Beth had become Captain of 10th Company and her picture win 1930 shows five Service Stars. The Provincial Council was formed in 1929 - quite a milestone 0 and the future looked bright. In 1930 they came from Edmonton for their Annual Meeting. We were in session all day and I can assure you it was quite a meeting. Incidentally Mrs. Riddoch was made a memeber of the Executive Committee.

We were building - up and up - Beth went along with her work - which was not up to this time terribly exciting but the foundations she laid down were like the footings for a great building that would stand the test of time. The depression was with us in full force. I can tell you it was bad when it reached its low ebb in 1932. THere, perhaps she came into her own - displaying qualities of leadership under unhappy conditions. Everywhere there was fear, anxiety, insecurity and frustration. Yet even at her youthfl age she seemed to inspire hope and courage.

The Scout Guide Toy Shop had of necessity come into being. Long hours she spent repairing and dressing dolls and toys to be sire that some small girl was not forgotten by Santa.

So during these years she developed and again - possibly made plans to better or improve training and camping. The regulations for such were to become firmly entrenched in Guide handbooks. This is a good moment to say that will all of this, she was engaged in earning her living from 9am to 5 pm plus Saturdays! Yet with these combined activities she still found the energy and time to become a memeber of Knox Church choir - and raise her voice to the Glory of God - not once but twice each Sunday.

You see, people did attend Sunday evening services at that time. Churches were crowded with young people. It all seems so long ago and so far away.

Time was passing - her name and her work had become known.

Mre or less out of the depression years we reach 1939 - and the 2nd Word War. Many of our leaders were lost to the armed forces.

Did she long, I wonder, to join the others in some branch of the women's services? Perhaps, but for reasons best known to herself she served on the home front - as usual.

It was a long time before we were at peace again. Beth had done a magnificent job with the Camps. Whatever she decided was necessary for a good camp, became law and Alberta stood high on its Camping record. She was regarded as one who spoke with authority.

Her Ranger work had started. I have wondered too, if it was not here in this Branch of Guiding that she found companionship with those nearer her own age. She had given up choirs, concerts, sports and other phases of a social life.

As in my own case, I have said over the years, the higher up you go the more lonely you become.

Rather she, in a world of Broken Promises kept her Guide Promise - unbroken and untarnished! Then added to that was her Ranger Promise to move out into a wider world. In her own serene way, she moved to that end with infinite patience.

The years of 1940's and 1950's were perplexing years for everyone and once during the 50's I recall a not of nostalgia in her conversation relative to changed within the Movement. And there were more changes to come. She wondered what lay ahead. Little did anyone know ho the world was to behave.

Even then, I wondered, fascinated that she had chosen this as her life's work. It was as though she asked 'only to serve'. At this point, I am reminded of the lines written by Robert Frost : - "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep." The easy life could not tempt her. She had miles to go before she slept! So much to be done. By this time (1940's) expansion in the Province had reached the proportions that made it necessary to emply a full time trainer and Camp Advisor. As Divison Commissioner, I had asked Beth to become District Commissioner of her District which she did.

It was so soon after I hardly realised what had happened. The Provincial Commissioner, Mrs. E. C. Pardee from Edmonton, came down and during dinner she said to me, "I'm taking Beth away from you." I was startled and disappointed while it was explained that a new office had been created, that of Provincial Field Secretary and it was a full time job. How often we have to put aside our own desires for the good of others.

For Beth a new life opened up and a great challeenge. By car, she travelled to remote corners of the Province, only to serve, and in so doing she helped the young find their roots as she had done here. She helped the young and not so young, search for new horizons and accept each new challege as it presented itself.

Discipline was to her a beautiful word and she used it knowning that her charges had to be prepared to meet the demands they would most certainly encounter. She was gifted. Maeterlink wrote a very delightful narrative dealing with the Kingdom of the Future.

He tells of a host of bowed little figures covered with the veils of blue gauze. In the distance could be heard the earthly mothers calling to their unborn children. Then Father Time arrived and gently as he called, one little figure after another came forward to start on its earthly journey. Yet as each one prepared to leave, Father Time gave him a gift, his own special talent which he was to carry to the earth and use for the benefit of mankind.

One might say that some were treated more generously than others, or did some not use to the full of his gift. But the idea was that each could make some special contribution to the life of the world.

Unfortunately as we well know, some fell by the wayside. But look to the millions, named and un-named, who have given so much - artists, writers, missionaries, scientists, the great musicians, doctors, exploreer - the millions who humble and nameless have been dedicated, compassionate men and women.

And so, from those to whom much is given much is required. She had a heart which knew how to give love and expect nothing in return. From another source, with giving in mind I would like to quite "the world can only be at peace when men will come to realise that the thing of real value to give is - - the gift of oneself".

Other Provincces became aware of the quality of her efforts and from time to time she would be loaned out by Alberta for Training. It was a wonderful thing that Alberta could produce from the ranks as it were - one so talented, so much to give.

But perhaps to me, one of her great achievements was her visits to N.W.T., where she met and instructed Eskimos and the far North Indian children. I'm sure the mothers were fascinated by this teacher - yet so young in heart.

At this point a personal note. It would be difficult to estimate the thousands of miles she covered by car.

Many times I wondered in the course of her long, weary hours of driving alone, what her thoughts must have been.

Did she think of her parents to whom she was devoted - her life as a child - the growing years - her only brother - her years of Guiding - her friends past and present - had she chosen well or had she missed something? Did she think of God- Yes- of He who created the nature she loved in all its glory. What of the future - only Father Time who bestowed the talents upon her couple reply.

In the latter years of her work the future looked uncertain and world conditions were bleak. Granted a certain prosperity was there but with the cahgned that had taken place, the signs for the future were almost beyond the comprehension of those who had come into the world in more pleasant and quiet times. It reminds one of England's green and pleasant land - only for Beth and myself - it was the land of the heather!

Mention must be made here of one more thing - dear to her heart - the formation of the the Trefoil Guild. This Group was formed by original members of 10th Rangers and they still meet.

As to all of us, there comes a time to lay down the tools and rest - Beth retired - that must have been quite a wrench for one so dedicted. Could it be that she was ready? For years she had seen the long procession of leaders and Commissioners come and go - new faces on one hand 0 on the other - new pages in the Book of Rules. Yet she stood out alone - always there 0 considerate and kind.

Semper Fidelis -

She obtained employment in the city and it was my pleasure to visit with her from time to time. We would be proud that she lived in our time and she udnerstood, as a person of superior understanding would, that there were many ways of serving God.

Some seek greatness in this life - she sought and possessed humility - only to serve.

In the Gospels there is the story of the woman who poured costly oil on the head of our Lord as He sat in the house of Simon, the leper. One of the disciples present was annoyed and said " this oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor."
Jesus replied - "the poor ye shall always have with you - Me ye shall not." To comfort the woman who had only wished to do Him honour, He said "this will be talked about, because wherever in all the world this gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will - be her Memorial"

To Beth Riddoch - the things you did - are your Memorial.

Have I , I wonder missed some points in Beth's Guide life. I could have dealt with the Provincial Camp sites, the Rallies, the Parties, Sports, visits of the Beloved FOunder and of Lady Baden Powell.

It was the woman I knew, the real Beth Riddoch I've had to tell you about. In 1966 she became ill and was aware that for her - "the shadows would lengthen, the evening would come, the busy world would be hushed, the fever of life would be over - and her work would be done."

These things came to pass in May of 1970, met with the same quiet dignity I have seen in the past.

My husband and I talked with her very shortly before her call came to Higher Service.

Among other things we spoke of Guiding - then said "Goodnight''.

Rangers - its never goodbye.

We shall not see her like again

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Beth was married to the Movement of Guiding and her children were the girls in Brownies all the way through the ranks to Rangers. Beth has come to inspire me to be the best Girl Guide leader I can be.

~M