Senior of the Year Award: Congratulations to Anne MacNeill

Our 2026 Senior of the Year is local community champion, volunteer and citizen journalist, Anne MacNeill.

Mayor Jan O’Neill and Council presented Anne with her award on Canada Day.

Wherever you find local people volunteering – you’re likely to find Anne.

She’s a member of the Marmora and Lake Public Library Board and a library volunteer. She’s often spotted among the bookshelves helping patrons find their next great read or teaching them how to play Mahjong. Anne also leads a creative writing group and loves to delve into local genealogy.

Anne is an active participant on the Marmora and Lake Economic Development Advisory Committee, and a proud community champion. As part of her committee duties, she’s a Community Ambassador – a local resident who helps newcomers to Marmora and Lake connect with the resources they need to get settled.

On top of her volunteerism, Anne is also a citizen journalist providing local news coverage in the absence of traditional print media.

When Anne saw a gap in local reporting, she acted by becoming her own newsroom and covering municipal and current events in weekly editorial published by the Community Press.

Now that the paper has officially closed, Anne has announced she will keep writing her column and publish it herself. This is a testament to Anne’s personality. When she puts her mind to something, there’s no stopping her.

The Senior of the Year is an annual award given to a senior who has made their community a better place to live by enriching the social, cultural or civic life of their community.

Congratulations, Anne.  

From left to right: Councillor Eric Daoust, award recipient Anne MacNeill, Mayor Jan O’Neill and Deputy Mayor Mike Stevens. Photo: Municipality of Marmora and Lake