The History of the Julianne Canaday Scholarship

I regret that I never met Julianne Canaday; I sat across the Lodge room from her on my first visit to a Rainbow Assembly for the Installation of Officers in the spring of 1987, when she was introduced as a Past Worthy Advisor. But it was a large crowd, I knew hardly anyone, having lived here but a few months, and I felt out of place. Only later did I come to regret the unrecognized, missed opportunity.

Julianne Canaday was born on 31 January 1965 in Park Ridge, Illinois. Shortly after reaching the minimum age of 12, she affiliated with Bellvue Assembly #120, IORG, in Washington state, where her family lived at the time. About a year later, she became a member of Fairfax Assembly #3 by affiliation. Her abilities were soon acknowledged, and she was elected Worthy Advisor for the winter/spring term of 1981. Other recognition she received as a Rainbow Girl included Friendliest, the Activity pin, Perfect Attendance­3 years, Leadership, Ritual, and the Temple Bar. She was also active in Job's Daughters, serving as Honored Queen, and she was recognized by the DeMolay, being twice runner-up as state Sweetheart.

A dry recitation of a Masonic record does not begin to reveal Julianne Canaday's personality and contributions. It is more illustrative to observe that her Rainbow sisters mentioned her frequently, long after her family had moved away from Virginia, which made me realize what I had missed in not being able to know such a remarkable young lady.

Julianne Canaday was already suffering from the ailment that was to take her life when she made her final visit to Fairfax Assembly #3 in 1987. Her letters to the Assembly were read and responded to with enthusiasm, despite the progressively grimmer prognosis. Although, as a majority member, Julianne Canaday might have chosen to leave behind the Rainbow for "adult" activities, she did not abandon her younger sisters who had looked to her for leadership and guidance before their terms in the East, despite her own considerable problems.

Julianne Canaday died on 17 October 1988 at the age of 23. I know of no more heartrending experience in my own life than that of seeing the members of Fairfax Assembly #3 perform the Rainbow Memorial Service for their fallen sister. Despite its beauty and poignance, I know we all wish that the need never arise to witness such a ceremony again.

If there is one constant thread that runs through the rituals of the organizations of Freemasonry, it is that of mortality. In some cases it is subtle, in others, obvious. The Masonic organization for boys is named after Jacques deMolay, who was martyred in the 14th century for the rapacity of despots, is but one of the many real and legendary figures whose fidelity in the face of death is recounted in the degrees and orders of Masonry. These individuals, and others, such as Job for the Job's Daughters, are held up to us as examples of the demands that life and adversity may make on some of us and the conduct that honor shall exact from us as members of the Masonic family. The rituals and degrees of Masonry should be observed regularly to remind us of the hard lesson to be learned that requires us to acquit ourselves as superior human beings in the face of tyrrany, evil, and misfortune.

Julianne Canaday did not die defending her country, in support of high ideals, or in the heroic rescue of a fellow human being. It is a fortunate fact that in this happy land and time, few of us are called upon to make such ultimate sacrifices. Although we may not be required to die gloriously, to every one of us is given the opportunity to live gloriously. Like a brilliant meteor whose brief trajectory illuminates the landscape and burns its passing into our memories, Julianne Canaday, in her short time with us, set us an example of leadership, sisterhood, and service that merits the honor and distinction we pay her by awarding this scholarship in her name. May we achieve as much in our three score and ten as she did in her twenty-three.

Presented in Henry Lodge #57 on 22 June 1993 at the awarding of the scholarship to Erin C. Jenkins, a Past Worthy Advisor of Fairfax Assembly #3, IORG.

Contributions to the Canaday Scholarship Fund are welcomed and are tax-deductible. Make checks payable to Henry Lodge #57, AF&AM of Virginia and indicate that they are for the Canaday Fund. The mailing address is:

P. O. Box 175
Fairfax, Virginia 22030