A Legacy of Giving: Edith I. Friskney
Updated: 4 days ago
A longtime Georgetown resident and generous supporter of the Halton Hills Public Library, Edith I. Friskney, who passed away in March 2026, believed in supporting the people, places and causes that mattered to her family and community. Over the years, her generosity supported a wide range of Library and cultural initiatives, including theatre seats, a children’s area carpet, a microfilm reader and printer, the Creativity Centre, the Local History Room and the restoration of the historic Esquesing Township School Sections Map.
Giving with meaning
Edith’s giving was often personal, with many of her gifts connected to the people she loved.
During the early renovations of the Halton Hills Public Library and Cultural Centre, Edith sponsored two theatre seats. One was in memory of her husband, Peter, who passed away in 1977, and the other was in honour of her daughter Karen, who had been involved with the Little Theatre as a high school student.
Edith also honoured her daughter Helen by having her name included on one of the theatre’s hanging banners, recognizing her talent for quilting and handcrafts.
Over the years, Edith continued to find opportunities to support Halton Hills Public Library in ways that reflected the interests and passions of her family.
She supported a new carpet for the children’s area in memory of her daughter-in-law, Pasqualina, a primary school teacher. She also contributed toward a new microfilm reader and printer after her daughter Janet mentioned the condition of the existing equipment.
Edith also supported the Creativity Centre in honour of Karen, whose interest in photography connected with the space’s digitization offerings.
When Edith wanted to make a gift to HHPL in Janet’s honour, she asked Janet where she thought the funds could be most useful. Janet suggested the Local History Room, drawing on her degree in history and her experience using archives for research.
Her generosity was about more than giving. It was about giving with purpose.
Preserving a piece of Halton Hills history
One of Edith’s gifts helped preserve a unique piece of local history: the 1856 Esquesing Township School Sections Map.
Edith supported the restoration of the historic map and dedicated it to her granddaughter, Rebecca A. Rogge, in recognition of her deep appreciation for cartography.
The restored map is now part of HHPL’s local history resources, giving the community an opportunity to connect with Halton Hills’ past and explore a piece of our local history for years to come.
It is one example of how a thoughtful gift can have an impact far beyond the original donation, helping preserve something for future generations to discover, learn from and enjoy.
The impact of giving
Edith’s story reminds us that there is no one way to give.
A gift can honour someone we love, support a place that matters to us, help bring an idea to life or preserve something important to our community. And whether a gift is large or small, it can become part of a lasting legacy.
Today, the Halton Hills Public Library Foundation helps bring programs, ideas and opportunities to life that go beyond the Library’s core funding. Community support helps make enhanced programs and services possible for residents of all ages.
Make your gift go further
CFHN Giving Challenge • Saturday, September 26 • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
There is no one reason to give. For Edith, giving was a way to celebrate family, support her community, and honour what mattered most. The CFHN Giving Challenge offers an opportunity to do the same. When you support the Halton Hills Public Library during the challenge, your gift will be matched by CFHN. The matched funds are directed to CFHN’s community endowment fund, creating support for charities across North Halton into the future.
Every gift matters. Every gift helps.
With thanks to Edith’s family for sharing these memories of her generosity and community spirit.
