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News
Rubena Kiehna's amazing story has been featured in
the Spring 2007 edition of Polio Canada, her Lodge Paper and has generated
local media interest.
February 27, 2007 --
MARGARET RUBENA KIEHNA
Rubena was born in Toronto to James and Sophia (Buck) Boyes on May 25,1909. At
the age of 3, she was diagnosed with polio, which affected her right leg - the
muscles in the leg never developed. Hoping that clean, fresh air would help,
the family moved to “New Ontario”and settled on land north of Englehart in
Timiskaming District where they became a true pioneer farm family.
Rubena lived 4 km from a 1 room school and she walked or rode a small cart
pulled by her pet horse Dan. She knew that she would never be able to run or
ski, but her determination enabled her to excel in other talents. Her secondary
education was gained at Northern Academy Boarding School in Montieth ON,
completed in Toronto. Rubena graduated from “Normal School” (Teachers
College) in North Bay ON. An accomplished pianist, she taught school, music and
other life skills in various rural schools in the north. While boarding with a
family near the school in Brentha ON, she met her future husband, Herbert
Kiehna, also part of a pioneer family. They lived on and worked the family farm
and Rubena continued to teach, was a Postmistress, housewife and mother of 3
girls, Doris, Judy and Margaret, and is now grandmother of 10 and
great-grandmother of 16.
Her husband of 63 years passed away in 2000 at 94 years of age. Until January
2006, Rubena continued to live alone in her home, getting around with a
walker. Eventually this became too tiring for her, and she accepted the
fact that she had to move to a nursing home. She is now in Temiskaming Lodge in
Haileybury ON. Her mind is still sharp, and she enjoys visits, cards and
letters from family and friends.
*Special thanks to Rubena's son-in-law George Cole for sharing Rubena's story.
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For media, please contact:
Kimberley Dowds
Associate Director, National Programs
March of Dimes Canada
Tel: 416-425-3463, ext. 7211
Mobile: 647-294-4123
kdowds@marchofdimes.ca
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