Michael Dawe

May 13, 2018

Caroline Gaetz and Mother’s Day

On Sunday, May 13, people across North America will be celebrating Mother’s Day. It is a time when all mothers are honoured, along with the concept of motherhood and all the bonds of nurturing, caring, sharing, etc. that are part of that universal life experience.

The first modern Mother’s Day was celebrated in May 1908 at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Its leading proponent was Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honour her late mother and all her mother’s work on behalf of peace, family health and other related social causes.

Anna Jarvis was purportedly inspired by a line in a prayer her mother used: “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it.”

One person who exemplified many of the wonderful attributes associated with motherhood was one of Red Deer’s first residents, Caroline Hamilton Gaetz, who settled in 1884 with her husband and family on a farm in what is now downtown Red Deer.

Caroline and Leonard Gaetz with their youngest son Jack

Caroline Blowers Hamilton was born on April 2, 1845 near Maitland, Nova Scotia. She was very bright and exceptionally musical. At a time when most young women did not have a chance to pursue an education, she attended Acadia College in Wolfville, majoring in music.

Caroline first met Leonard Gaetz when he was on his way to Acadia College, where he was studying for the ministry, and stopped at the Hamilton farm for a drink of water. A strong connection was quickly made and Leonard was soon making frequent visits to the Hamilton home.

Leonard started his ministerial career in New Brunswick, but in 1862, he got a new ministerial position at Maitland. The relationship between Caroline and Leonard had blossomed into a full-fledged love affair. The two were married on July 14, 1865.

Leonard’s next posting was to his home town of Musquodoboit Harbour, Nine months later after their arrival in their new home, the Gaetz’s first son, Raymond was born. Twelve more children were to follow over the next eighteen years (two of whom passed away in the 1870’s).

Caroline and Leonard Gaetz with their three eldest sons, Ray, Halley and Clare

Leonard quickly distinguished himself as an outstanding preacher and his career advanced very rapidly. Hence, the family moved from Musquodoboit Harbour to Pictou, Fredricton and then Yarmouth. In 1875, Leonard became the minister at St. James Street Church in Montreal, often referred to as the Cathedral of Methodism because of its size and importance.

Life for Leonard and Caroline, with their rapidly growing family, seemed to have reached a pinnacle. Then disaster struck. The stress and strain caused Leonard’s health to break down. Leonard was also in the early stages of developing diabetes. In 1878, the Gaetz’s moved to a church at Hamilton. They also purchased a rather poor quality farm near the city.

In 1881, Leonard had recovered enough to accept a new ministerial posting at London, Ontario. Unfortunately, he soon suffered a complete breakdown and was forced to leave the ministry.

Life for Caroline and Leonard now plunged to a nadir. They returned to the farm at Hamilton, but it was not productive enough to support the family. However, despite the challenges of taking care of ten children and an ill husband with virtually no money, Caroline’s devotion to Leonard and her children never faltered.

Then a new opportunity emerged. The Saskatchewan Land and Homestead Company, a Methodist colonization scheme, offered Leonard the job of managing the 180 sections of land that had just been purchased at Red Deer, Alberta. Leonard was also able to secure the fertile flat, in what is now downtown Red Deer, as his personal farm. In the spring of 1884, although Caroline was six months pregnant, the family moved to their new home.

The Gaetz Family at their new house in Red Deer, 1892

Despite many challenges, it was a move they never regretted. Life became very good again. The farm prospered. In 1890, Leonard gave a half interest in the farm to the C. &.E. Railway Company for a townsite. That meant that every time a lot in the new town of Red Deer was sold, the Gaetz’s got half the proceeds. Leonard and Caroline became quite well-to-do, so much so that they were able to give many of their children each a house on 56th Street as a wedding present.

In 1895, Leonard tried one more return to the ministry, this time at Brandon, Manitoba. However, now it was Caroline’s health which was starting to fail. In 1900, they returned to Red Deer.

A small new house was built on 56 Street. That way Caroline and Leonard were in close proximity to many of their children and grandchildren. The new residence included a small library annex where Leonard could visit with family and friends when Caroline needed to rest in the main part of the house.

Caroline and Leonard Gaetz’s retirement house on 56 Street, 1901

Caroline and Leonard Gaetz with one of their daughters and a new grandchild, 1906

On December 20, 1906, Caroline sat down after an enormous pre-Christmas family supper to rest. She had a sudden heart attack and died.

Leonard did not long survive her. Suffering the loss of his life partner and the dehabiliating effects of diabetes, he passed away on June 9, 1907. Caroline and Leonard are buried next to each other in the Red Deer Cemetery.

In 1910, when the new Gaetz Memorial Methodist (later United) Church was completed on Ross Street, the Gaetz family decided to gift a magnificent pipe organ, Red Deer’s first, in memory of their mother. They felt it was a fitting tribute both to their mother and her life-long love of music. The cost was $2500, a sum equal to the cost of a good-sized farm at the time.

The Pipe Organ dedicated to the memory of Caroline Gaetz, 1932

The Pipe Organ dedicated to the memory of Caroline Gaetz, 1944

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