INNISFAIL – It was just over four months ago when many local citizens joyously celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II with a heartfelt tea at the Ol’ Moose Hall.
Today there is shock and sadness.
At around noon on Sept. 8, Buckingham Palace announced in a short statement that the Queen, who had reigned since 1952, passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96.
Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer, said all town flags were put at half-mast within the hour of the news of the Queen’s passing.
“When I think of Queen Elizabeth, I think of class, grace and service to the world, and we lost a big part of that today,” said Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay, who was a special guest at the local Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tea on June 4. “She was always there to seemingly sort things out. But there are processes in place and that will all be passed on to Charles and I would expect the same from him.”
Anna Lenters, president of the Innisfail and District Historical Society who helped organize last June’s Platinum Jubilee Tea, said the queen was a stabilizing force in today’s pandemic and war-stricken world.
“It's that, given how unstable the world is right now, and how much uncertainty there is, she was a moral compass for peace and stability,” said Lenters on Sept. 8 shortly after hearing the news the queen had passed away.
Lenters was grateful, however, that local volunteers and the historical society were able to honour Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign last June; a celebration that was judged by many as moving, heartfelt and appropriate.
“Our timing couldn't have been better,” she said. “I'm awfully glad we did it and I'm glad we put the amount of effort we did because it was a one chance deal. It will never happen again, at least on her behalf.”
Lenters had to attend a historical society board meeting later in the afternoon and said the queen’s passing would be discussed.
She added it would also be appropriate to contact everyone involved in the local Platinum Jubilee Tea to find a way to honour the Queen once again.
“And talk amongst ourselves what we should do and put our heads together and figure out what would be the appropriate thing to do,” said Lenters, noting tea organizers received a “most wonderful” card from the queen and Buckingham Palace to thank Innisfailians for the June 4 tea.
“I'm sure there are some protocols in place that I need to be schooled on,” she said. “But I think we'll have to put our heads together and figure out what's right and what's right for our community and what's right for the village.
“It's a sad day. I'm not sure what else to say. It's just a very sad day,” added Lenters. “It’s the end of an era, isn't it?”
Mountain View County Reeve Angela Aalbers has joined fellow government leaders in recognizing Queen Elizabeth II’s long public service.
“The passing of the queen is a sad day for many all around the world,” Aalbers told the Albertan. “She was an inspiration. She will be missed, but her legacy and her mark on the world will never be forgotten.”
She called the late monarch a “true leader” on the world stage.
