Cochlan

The legacy of two former residents will continue with the Rainy River District School Board.

The Board says it has received a donation of $75,000 made in honour of Helen Cochlan and her sister Margaret.

“We would like to share our deepest gratitude for this donation and remain committed to recognizing both Margaret Cochlan for her dedication to teaching and Helen Cochlan for her extraordinary generosity,” states a release from the Board.

The sisters moved to Fort Frances with their family in 1929 when their father was named the local branch manager of the CIBC.

Margaret would continue schooling to become a teacher and spent a decade at schools in the Fort Frances area before moving to Alberta, where she retired in 1977 after a 40-year career.

She passed away in Winnipeg at the age of 89 in 2006.

Helen would follow her father’s footsteps in banking, enjoying a lengthy career with CIBC before retiring in 1985.

She passed away last October in Winnipeg at the age of 103.

The school intends to use the gift to support three student nutrition and support programs over the next five years.

The programs provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn cooking skills, safely use kitchen tools and appliances and provide meaningful connections to food and local food systems.

“I could not be more appreciative and thankful for this generosity and the lasting impact it will have on our students,” states Tara Rajala, Student Nutrition and Support Coordinator, in a release.

Part of the money is also going toward a new bursary in the name of Margaret Cochlan.