Anna Cann’s family immigrated from Scotland and has a long history in Wellington County. She grew up on a farm near Fergus, Ontario and every summer, she attended the Fergus Highland Games. She especially enjoyed watching the Highland dancing. She decided that if she ever had a daughter, that daughter would be a Highland dancer. Her dream came true when her daughter, Mary Ellen, became a championship dancer and carried on the tradition of Highland dance, teaching a new generation of dancers.
Anna was very involved in the Highland dance community in the area since 1968. She volunteered her time and helped with fundraising activities. She was a master at pie making and was known for her apple pies.
Years later, Anna dedicated her time to assisting with Mary Ellen’s dance studio. With the skills acquired as the first woman to work for the Guelph OPP detachment, she spent endless hours organizing studio events.
In her late 80s, she and her husband Jim attended many summer Highland games watching Mary Ellen’s dancers compete, in all kinds of weather, cheering on the dancers.
Like today’s RCHDA’s parents, Anna’s dedication to the love of Highland dance always and forever makes each Guelph competition a success.
This was Anna Cann’s legacy.
