Pecan Shortbread

This Historic Recipe, Pecan Shortbread by Margaret (Graham) Green, comes to us from “Cook Book – C.E.E. Hospital Guild”.

Margaret Yvonne Graham was born February 6, 1928 in Dawn Twp., Lambton County to Edward and Mary (Robertson) Graham and had three brothers Donald, Blake and Bill.

Margaret attended high school in Petrolia before heading to Victoria Hospital School of Nursing in London were she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1949. Marg worked at C.E.E. hospital in Petrolia for about four years where she enjoyed working in the operating room.

Her brother Blake was attending the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. It was at school that Blake made a friend, Bob Green. During the holidays Blake brought Bob home to the family farm near Oil Springs. Bob and Margaret met and the rest was history.

Robert Allen “Bob” Green was born on December 8, 1922, on the family homestead near Herronton, Alberta to parents Tom and Hildred (Fox) Green and was the third of four children.

He joined the RCAF training in Edmonton, Claresholm, and High River in Alberta. He was sent to England where he trained as a gunner.

After finishing his advanced flying training, Bob posted to a Navigational Flying Training School in Llandwrog, Wales as a staff pilot. He trained flight crews and navigators for the rest of the war. After the war Bob had been offered a job as a pilot but instead, he decided to finish his high school education and go to Guelph to become a veterinarian.

Shortly after graduation Bob moved to Petrolia and set up his veterinarian practice. He and Marg married. Thereafter Bob and Marg worked in the practice together until they retired after more than 43 years. They had four children and eight grandchildren.

The Green’s were very community minded people. Marg was treasurer of the C.E.E. Hospital Nurses Association and faithfully attended the tri-annual gatherings of the Vic Class, Fall 1949. She was a member of the I.O.D.E as well as other community groups.

Bob was an elder in St. Andres Presbyterian Church, a Petrolia town councilor, a director on the board of C.E.E. Hospital and it’s committees, an advisor to the Dean of Ontario Veterinary College, and a member of the Senate for the University of Guelph. He was also involved with resurrecting the V.P.P. after it had been idle for many years and was a member of the Solid Waste Management Board for Ontario – the board that developed such programs as composting and blue boxes.

Marg passed away on July 29, 2012 and Bob on November 9, 2018. They were laid to rest in Hillsdale Cemetery, Petrolia.

Instructions

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and flour, mix thoroughly. Mix in pecans. Bake in oven 350° for 20 minutes.