Category
Athlete
Sport
Multi-Sport
Hometown
Saint John
Year Inducted
1979
athlete
Margaret (Henderson) Purdy (D)
HONOURED MEMBER
Biography
In this age of extreme athletic specialization, when athletes only play on certain downs, or in certain innings or events or game situations, it is good for us to remember the sport generalist. The all-round performer, the multi-letter winner, once had his or her day and place in the sporting sun.That day may be gone forever, but remembering can help keep it somewhat fresh in our minds. Margaret Henderson Purdy was one of those whose sporting accomplishments were restricted neither by type or activity nor by season.Her interests ranged from basketball to tennis, from swimming to badminton; and her successes were registered on the national, provincial and club levels. Thousands enjoyed watching her compete; but thousands more fell under her teaching/coaching spell at Saint John Vocational High School, the Y.W.C.A., and the Rothesay and Shediac Bay Clubs. Enrolled in the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, June 2, 1979
Quick Facts
Won the NB and Maritime Junior tennis titles in 1922
Won NB Ladies Singles titles in 1924, ’28 and ’29
Won Maritime Ladies Singles championship in 1930, NB Mixed Doubles in 1957 and ’58, NB Ladies Doubles (1925, ’58, ’59) and Maritimes Ladies Doubles in 1926
Won the Ladies Singles badminton title in 1930 and the Ladies Doubles in 1932
Helped the Saint John YMCA basketball team to the Maritime Senior Ladies crown in 1930