MUSEUM MUSINGS: Rose Jardine

By Mya Walker

Rose Jardine, died August 19,2003, ending a long life of service to her community of Oyen.

Rose was born November 20, 1911, at Dundurn, Sask. Like many others In the depression, she remained largely unemployed until 1937 when she joined the staff of the western producer as secretary to the women’s editor, Violet McNaughton. Rose had a successful career there eventually becoming women’s editor from 1950-1960. When she married Allen Jardine of Flaxcombe she left her full time job but continued to write a weekly column for the Producer called Garden Chat until 1996.

The Jardines moved to Oyen in 1962 where they operated a farm equipment dealership.

Rose was honoured many times including induction to the East Central Agriculture Hall of Fame.

The manikin on the left sports one of Rose’s beautiful party dresses, a fur cape with matching headpiece. The framed front page of the Western Producer commemorates Rose’s nearly 60 years of service to the weekly newspaper. The typewriter is one of the first wide-carriage machines. When she traveled she packed a similar machine but with a smaller carriage.