UNITY — Mary Anne Gaetz has been named the 2023 Unity Citizen of the Year. The Unity Western Days committee read off her nomination, and made the presentation, at the banquet that was part of the kick-off for UWD weekend.
"A long history of community involvement encompasses this person’s life," said UWD co-chair Terry Smith.
Mary Anne Gaetz is a name well-known to Unity Western Days. She has been part of the committee for 32 years and in 2023, has decided to retire. Gaetz was committed to not only volunteering and attending the Unity Western Days weekend but looked after the very task, year after year, ensuring that Unity would crown a new Citizen of the Year at each event. She served as an ambassador for UWD and also as a steadfast volunteer the committee could count.
Gaetz was a life-member of Unity Kinettes. She served with the club in various roles, most notably known for her meticulous record keeping, minutes and treasury binders. She never missed volunteering at a Kinsmen seniors’ supper event or working a fundraising bingo or baking pie for the Kinette pie sale that was part of rodeo day parade events. Her heart and soul were invested in Telemiracle fundraising and ensuring she was part of community fundraising events as well as watching the 20-hour telethon each year.
Gaetz has received two huge accolades from the ball world for her more than 50 years of volunteer service. She was named 2021 Baseball Sask. Lifetime Achievement Award winner for her five decades of dedication to scorekeeping at baseball and softball events. In 2022, the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inducted her for her decades of commitment.
In addition to filling almost a lifetime of service in these roles, Gaetz is also a huge supporter of community events and activities. Whether she was a person attending as a spectator or lending a hand by serving at an event, her presence in the community has not gone unnoticed.
The 2023 Unity Western Days Committee is proud and honoured to present Mary Anne Gaetz this year’s Citizen of the Year award. The crowd in attendance gave Gaetz an appreciative standing ovation before she took the microphone to thank the committee and the community for bestowing this honour to her.
