I learned of J.B.'s death recently from Viiu Kanep who kept in touch with her through phone calls and cards since J.B. retired from camp in the 1970s.
Viiu's Christmas card was returned with a note about J.B.'s death.
She struck terror in the hearts of Wap and Ahmek staff!
Her career in the Army influenced her demeanor at camp.
Dressed in khaki shorts, shirt, Oxford shoes, ankle socks, short-cropped hair and master keys on a lanyard around her neck, she marched the paths of Big Wap looking for anything amiss.
She was feared, loved and respected.
She was Couchie's eyes and ears.
Couchie's Business Administrator.
Couchie's best friend.
J.B. came to camp circa 1935 as a riding instructor for Wap.
Her counterpart at Ahmek was Ghent Carroll who later became the TSC Business Manager for many years.
Together they later kept Wap, Ahmek and TSC in smooth running order while always watching out for the well-being of the staff.
If encountered in the middle of the night, J.B. and Ghent would leave a lasting impression - J.B. driving the Imp with a powerful searchlight which could capture a canoe half way across the lake.
Ghent's cigarette glowing faintly as he sat in the dark on the Ahmek Dininghall verandah, taking note of staff returning from Bigwin Inn and Ronville Lodge.
They both were fair and discriminating if and when they rarely passed on indiscretions to Couchie or Dr. Tay.
Simply encountering them was enough to get staff back in line!
J.B. had a special relationship with the Wap Guides.
They feared and adored her.Guides and S.D.s at Wap were privileged to know J.B.'s wonderful dry sense of humour, her no-nonsense approach to her job and her evenhanded dealings with everyone.
Hundreds of staff have their own stories about J.B.
Ask the Wap Senior campers who stole Couchie's birthday cake!
J.B. was J.B. - a unique personality who will be remembered fondly and with tremendous respect.
Sue Ebbs |