The story of Rita and Orla Andersen
It was a birthday party, but I felt like crying. My sister said I was too little to play with her and her friends (she was five). Then a boy named Orla came along and made me laugh.
I decided to marry him. A few years later, I did.
Orla and I grew up in the country near Kalundborg, Denmark. Orla studied agriculture and I became a nurse. In 1951 we got married and headed to Canada for "a couple of years."
The Farm
We found work on a farm near Newmarket, Ontario. The owner, Mr. Cecil Cathers, lived there and commuted to Toronto. Orla was one of several farm workers and I helped Mrs. Cathers with the house and four children.
Soon the Cathers bought a large house in Forest Hill. They planned to travel––would we live with them as the children's "backup parents"?
We agreed, but Orla also found a factory job. We took the children to the farm every weekend for a mini-holiday.
City Life
In 1956, Mr. Cathers sold his house to enter politics. That triggered many changes in our lives.
We bought a duplex, then a house in Willowdale. I worked as a nurse, then became a hospital administrator.
Orla worked for Hoover Vacuum Company, then started his own business––Toronto Vacuum Cleaners Sales and Service. We travelled through the U.S. and Canada and made annual trips to Denmark.
Orla and I are long-time members of the Danish Lutheran Church of Toronto. Orla has looked after the cleaning and been a Board Member, President and Deacon. We enjoy our church family and attend whenever possible.
Our current house overlooks a ravine. It's like being in the country and we enjoy watching the birds, wildlife and changing seasons.
Canada has been so good to us!
Adapted from the 2005 Heritage Book,with permission from the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada
More Immigrant Stories:
• Hold your next birthday party at our Museum.
• Why on earth did Claus and Hertha Jacobsen raise 45 children?
