The Antigonish Highland Society is grateful to receive generous donations from individuals who have been involved or impacted by the society efforts over the years. If donation is something you are interested in, you can contact admin@antigonishhighlandgames.ca for more information. All donations are greatly appreciated and used to ensure the Scottish and Gaelic culture is kept alive for many generations!
Donation in Memory of Roslyn Elaine Murphy
Donation made by Teri (Brean) Arsenault who was a lifelong friend of Roslyn. Their friendship began as young Highland Dancers at the Antigonish Highland Games.
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Beginning November 12th, 1948, Roslyn Elaine Murphy “danced” her way through life. The music that she “danced” to, at times, could only be heard by her, however, music that moved her in real time was the swirl of Scottish pipes, the pulse of the drum and most often the blended sound of a fiddle and spoons.
The name Murphy-Wintermans implies Irish-Dutch lineage: however, it was her MacDonald hertiage she lived by. Teresa “D.D” MacDonald was a sister to Angus “D.D” MacDonald, making her a cousin to Ronald “D.D.” and his sister Phyllis. Roslyn’s resemblance to Phyllis was remarkable, especially in photos were both are clad in Scottish kilts. Similar to Phyllis, Roslyn began Highland dance lessons at a very young age, and like her cousin, developed into a champion dance, so much so that Roslyn went on to teach Highland dancing. Along with inspiring her students to master the intricate steps of each dance, she renewed an enthusiasm for Highland dancing in the Sydney area.
Each summer, Rosyln would attend the workshops of Mary Dundas and later Joan Waters. These were held in the weeks preceding the Antigonish Highland Games. Rosyln never left Columbus Field without at least one medal newly pinned to her jacket, and quite often with a trophy as well.
After graduating from Holy Angels High School, and completing two years at Junior College (UCCB), Roslyn transferred to St.F.X. With a teaching degree in hand, she taught elementary school in Halifax and later in Sydney. Any opportunity to introduce Scottish culture to her students was never lost in Roslyn. She would do with enegy, humor and relevancy; her students loved her and those particular lessons.
Other than summers when she was most likely travelling – around the world, or visiting her daughter in Scotland- Roslyn never missed the Antigonish Highland Games. If something prevented her from attending, she would spend the day listening to CJFX’s coverage. Whnen she did attend, she could be found directly in front of the dancing stage, nodding (sometimes dancing) and quietly judging the dancers. Her choice of winners most ofen aligned with the judges.In celebration, Roslyn would dance her way to the Ceilidh Tent, while following the Massed Pipe Bands.
To quite her obituary of November 2021 ~ “Rosie” was cherished by so many. She was always the life of the party and radiated positivity”~
Rosie was well and truly happy when surrounded by kith and kin at the Antigonish Highland Games!
