ECW Honored Woman of the year 2007

Episcopal Church Women of the Year Diocese of Arizona……..Dinah Gemmill

Every year, each of the 59 Episcopal parishes in Arizona are asked to submit a nomination for ECW woman of the year.  We have about 28 active ECW chapters in the Diocese and this year’s Woman of the year is from right here at St. Thomas of the Valley in Clarkdale.

It gives me great privilege as my first official act as Diocesan ECW President (Winifrid Follett) to present the Honored Woman of the Year award for the Diocese of Arizona to…..DINAH GEMMILL.

     Dinah was born in Clarkdale, her parents were members of St Thomas and she was baptized as an infant here.  Dinah has lived within five or so blocks of the church all her life, except for time away at college and years spent teaching in Prescott and California.  She has been married to her husband Jim for 44 years and has two children, Gayle and Darin, and four grandchildren.  Dinah was a full time teacher for most of the time after college and retired from Cottonwood Oak Creek School District a few years ago.

     Dinah has held nearly every possible position in our congregation, Senor Warden, vestry and alter guild member, representative to the Diocesan Convention-more than once, Sunday school teacher, Worship committee member. 

You name it and she has done them all except Junior Warden Position…don’t know how she missed that one!

     Dinah has always been very active in St. Thomas’ ECW and has been responsible more than once for keeping our chapter going when it might have failed due to lack of interest.  In fact, in addition to her church offices, she has served in every office of the board for St. Thomas ECW-several times.

     When a member of our congregation became ill with cancer she was there organizing a program that provided meals for her and her family for several months.  Dinah has been involved for the last five years with the Verde Valley Relay for Life, a fund raising organization for the American Cancer Society.  Dinah has been team Captain for the St. Thomas Saints relay team several times.  She and her crews have helped to raise collections for the Relay for Life from about $25,000 in 2001 to over $100,000 in 2006.  In addition to her work in the Relay for Life she has often worked with the March of Dimes.  Dinah has served on the Clarkdale Heritage Conservancy Board and Participated in the 80”s with restoration of the Clark Memorial Clubhouse.  Dinah is currently working with the Verde Valley Caregivers to provide rides for the shopping, Doctor’s appointments and other necessary errands to those not able to do those things on their own.

     As you can tell she represents the very embodiment of St. Thomas of the Valley Episcopal Church

ECW Woman of the year- 2006 Betty Ann Millard Wilson

ECW Woman of the year - 2005 Ann Gay

ECW Woman of the Year - 2004 Barbara Thurber/ Barbara was also honored at Triennial 2006