A Special Commemoration for Rose Durley

On December 3, a special outdoor commemoration was held on the corner of Sydney and Third Streets to celebrate Rose Durley, a School Crossing Guard who has stood on this very corner for fifty years safely crossing three generations of our children to and from St. Matthews Catholic Secondary School, Bishop McDonnell, and CCVS.

Rose, mother of three daughters and grandmother of six (soon to be seven) grandchildren, started working part-time in her current role with the City of Cornwall when she was in her early thirties, after working in homecare, and later at Vera’s Lunch. After introducing me to two of her daughters and a granddaughter bearing her name, I asked her if she was planning on retiring any time soon, to which her response was, “Everybody asks me that. No. I feel good. For my age, I still feel good.” Overwhelmed by the turnout of family, friends, former students, city dignitaries, and media, this humble woman, who loves the cold and doesn’t like to sit in the house, learned just how much she was appreciated.
The ceremony began with an address from Jesse Good, whose children are led across the street by Rose every day. He commented that she has crossed so many young people that she may not always remember every name, but she always remembers faces. “She remembers the moms and dads too, from when they were kids and she was crossing them long before their own children came along.” “Rose may not live on this street,” he added, “but this will always be her corner. She is my neighbour in every way that matters, and I know many of us on this block feel exactly the same.”

Michael Fawthrop, General Manager of Infrastructure and Municipal Works spoke next, thanking her on behalf of the City for her long service. “For half a century you’ve been a constant and trusted presence in this neighborhood ensuring that all the children get to school safely.”
Mayor Justin Towndale presented her with a Certificate in recognition for her service. “Rose,” he stated, “you are the first person that our children see on the way to school and the last person that they see on the way home from school. We talk about the importance that teachers and educators play. You play an equally important role in that. You have shaped lives and influenced the youth of our community for fifty years.”
A new historical plaque in her honor was then unveiled. Its rose hue was a deliberate choice by artist, Pierre Giroux, inspired by her name. “The museum sent me a photo of the house in the 1970’s,” he told me of the house located at 303 Sydney Street, and ultimately, this became the inspiration for his watercolour painting.

A bench placed next to the plaque was made possible by volunteers and members of the community.

Throughout the ceremony, supporting honks from passing vehicles were heard, evidence of the lives that Rose Durley has touched in our community.

As the new plaque asserts, “This bench and plaque honour Rose’s fifty years of service and her quiet role in helping Cornwall grow—with care, commitment, and heart.”