Marilyn M. Strong was born in Bloomfield N.B. on January 23, 1932. She grew up on a potato farm in Bloomfield, Carleton County N.B. and from a very early age took great interest and pride in potato farming and the livelihood of not just her own family farm, but the livelihood of all of our provinces potato farmers. Marilyn taught school in a one room schoolhouse in Lindsay NB for 10 years before attending vocational school in Woodstock N.B.. Upon graduating from vocational school, she went to work as a personal assistant for Harrison McCain at McCain Foods in Florenceville N.B. where she spent forty three years before retiring. This attachment and love for the often referred to ‘humble potato’ continued to strengthen throughout her career with McCain Foods.Marilyn’s pride in our potato industry, its people, machinery used and farming methods, welled up within her a strong desire to preserve this part of our heritage for future generations. Therefore, she took it upon herself to plan what she felt should be showcased and how it should look and feel to both those being recognized for their contributions to the industry as well as to develop a vision for the visitors experience. This work culminated in securing funding with the help of several industry leaders in NB and other funding sources. Thus, her brainchild was born and resulted in what we see here today as the New Brunswick Potato World Museum. It is a beautiful facility that is here to pay homage to the men and women that built the New Brunswick Potato industry, and who will continue to drive it forward into the future.Marilyn was a well rounded person who also took great interest in other community efforts including the Carleton County Sick Children’s Fund. She also initiated company payroll deductions for the Cancer Society. Her dedicated participation as a member of the Harrison McCain Foundation resulted in helping many local charities and not for profit organizations.However, it is the Potato World Museum that stands as her principle legacy to the industry and its people. Her primary objective was ensuring that the Museum would remain viable. Hence, she was untiring in her fund raising efforts. As well, she had a keen interest in people and knew that at some point in time, she would not be able to continue in those roles, and ensured that she was supported by a group of compassionate, knowledgeable board members who continue to carry the torch for her today. What a wonderful testament this museum is to her family and the New Brunswick potato industry. The Potato World Board of Director’s, the potato industry stakeholders and all who enter this beautiful museum say ‘Thank You’ and we ‘Love You” Marilyn for preserving our heritage for future generations. Marilyn Strong and Potato WorldMarilyn M. Strong was born in Bloomfield N.B. on January 23, 1932. She grew up on a potato farm in Bloomfield, Carleton County N.B. and from a very early age took great interest and pride in potato farming and the livelihood of not just her own family farm, but the livelihood of all of our provinces potato farmers. Marilyn taught school in a one room schoolhouse in Lindsay NB for 10 years before attending vocational school in Woodstock N.B.. Upon graduating from vocational school, she went to work as a personal assistant for Harrison McCain at McCain Foods in Florenceville N.B. where she spent forty three years before retiring. This attachment and love for the often referred to ‘humble potato’ continued to strengthen throughout her career with McCain Foods.Marilyn’s pride in our potato industry, its people, machinery used and farming methods, welled up within her a strong desire to preserve this part of our heritage for future generations. Therefore, she took it upon herself to plan what she felt should be showcased and how it should look and feel to both those being recognized for their contributions to the industry as well as to develop a vision for the visitors experience. This work culminated in securing funding with the help of several industry leaders in NB and other funding sources. Thus, her brainchild was born and resulted in what we see here today as the New Brunswick Potato World Museum. It is a beautiful facility that is here to pay homage to the men and women that built the New Brunswick Potato industry, and who will continue to drive it forward into the future.Marilyn was a well rounded person who also took great interest in other community efforts including the Carleton County Sick Children’s Fund. She also initiated company payroll deductions for the Cancer Society. Her dedicated participation as a member of the Harrison McCain Foundation resulted in helping many local charities and not for profit organizations.However, it is the Potato World Museum that stands as her principle legacy to the industry and its people. Her primary objective was ensuring that the Museum would remain viable. Hence, she was untiring in her fund raising efforts. As well, she had a keen interest in people and knew that at some point in time, she would not be able to continue in those roles, and ensured that she was supported by a group of compassionate, knowledgeable board members who continue to carry the torch for her today. What a wonderful testament this museum is to her family and the New Brunswick potato industry. The Potato World Board of Director’s, the potato industry stakeholders and all who enter this beautiful museum say ‘Thank You’ and we ‘Love You” Marilyn for preserving our heritage for future generations.