Clement, Alice McQuay
Grey’s First Woman Mayor ~ 1880 – 1962
Alice McQuay was born in Proton Township on a farm. Her family retired to Meaford, where Alice attended High School and Model School. After attending Normal School in Winnipeg, she taught at schools in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Alice married Walter Henry Clement in 1914 and they went to live in British Columbia. In 1917, her husband drowned. She returned to Meaford with two infant children, taught school briefly. She also worked in an apiary but would later turn her attentions to municipal affairs. She sat on the Meaford Town Council for 15 years and in 1957, was elected mayor of Meaford by acclamation. During her active life of service she was awarded a life membership of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, was an executive of the Women’s Missionary Society of the United Church and the Grey Presbyterial and Conference branch of the same society. Alice was also Chairman of the Meaford Hospital Board and a member of the Hospital Management Committee. She retired as Mayor of Meaford in 1961, after serving for 5 years, citing ill health and died a year later at the age of 82, on May 1, 1962. Alice is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Meaford.
Additional information: Sharon Cake Ed. Eminent Women of Grey County, Grey County Historical Society, Richardson, Bond, Wright Ltd., Owen Sound, 1977.
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