GUYSBOROUGH — For more than 20 years, Elizabeth and Myles Connolly quietly devoted themselves to the Guysborough and Area Food Bank. Now, their work has been recognized with something they never sought — a royal honour — and rewarded with something they long hoped for: successors.
The longtime co-managers of the non-profit were awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals at a regional Food Banks Canada meeting in New Glasgow June 3. The medals, presented to recognize their contributions to food insecurity relief in Guysborough and surrounding communities, came as a surprise.
“We were honoured,” Elizabeth said in an interview with The Journal last week. “But, we have to remember: We have volunteers here that work very hard, too. It’s through the volunteers that we’re able to function the way that we are.”
As it turns out, the medal was only part of the good news.
The Connollys have also found their replacements. Starting immediately, Elaine Williams will serve as administrative assistant, taking over Elizabeth’s role. Brent MacLeod, her partner, will assume Myles’ position as chair of the board by year’s end.
“We are covered,” Elizabeth said. “That’s the main thing.”
That news is poignant for another reason. Elaine Williams is the daughter of Kaye Williams, the food bank’s founder.
For Elizabeth, receiving the royal honour alongside her husband was especially meaningful. “Myles and I being a couple, you know, we’ve worked so long here at the food bank together that it was nice to see both of us honoured at the same time.”
Still, even with medals in hand, the Connollys remained clear-eyed about what matters most.
As The Journal reported in May, Elizabeth (74) and Myles (78) had decided to step back from the food bank as soon as they could find their replacements. “It’s time,” Elizabeth said then. “Our age is getting us now. We’re getting up there.”
The priority, she insisted, was to find people who were compassionate, committed, dependable and discreet – people who are “really willing to serve and be kind.”
Now they have.
Last week, Elizabeth said, “We didn’t really tell a lot of people yet [that we’d found our successors] because we wanted to make sure that they [Elaine and Brent] were going to take it for sure.”
Elaine, who comes from Guysborough and spent 30 years teaching high school in Alberta, said she was moved to act after reading the Journal story. “Elizabeth was trying to find somebody,” she said. “And I read the article. I kind of thought, well, maybe I could do that.”
Though she hadn’t worked with the food bank before, community service runs deep in her family. HHer mother Kaye began the food bank nearly 20 years ago after seeing firsthand, as a public health nurse, the effects of hunger in the community. “She was buying food for people who had no food,” Elaine said. “Then she decided to start the food bank.”
That example never left her. “We have nothing but admiration for all that she’s done,” she said. “She taught all of us – all of her four children – how important it is to give back and to take care of people.”
Though new to the food bank, Elaine is no stranger to volunteering. She’s active with Meals on Wheels, the Guysborough Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and is a board member of Mulgrave Road Theatre. Brent, for his part, is The Journal’s office manager. He also works evenings at the local grocery store and serves on the Municipality of the District of Guysborough’s (MODG) police advisory committee.
“For Brent,” Elaine said, “he loves his community. He gets a lot out [of it] and he wants to give back.”
The two are easing into their new roles with guidance from the Connollys. Elaine is already being trained on client intake forms, donation records and computer storage systems. “She’ll be excellent,” Elizabeth said. “We wouldn’t get anybody any better.”
Said Elaine: “There’s lots to learn. My head is spinning at the moment.” Still, she added with a laugh, “I’m a little bit of an A-type personality, so I want to do everything right.”
With the handover well underway, Elizabeth said she may not need to stay until her retirement target of January 1, 2026. “It’s good that Elaine is getting used to things now.”
As for the bittersweetness of the occasion, Elizabeth emphasized the satisfaction of a job well done and the comfort of knowing the work will continue in good hands.
“Myles and I wanted a picture with the medals,” she said. “So, our neighbour came up here. We thought we’d do it in front of the food bank.”
In the photo, they stand together as their King Charles III Coronation Medals — presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, public service or charitable causes across the Commonwealth — catch the light.
And in the background, always, the food bank stands stocked and steady.
