"... Most of the other members of council were supported by organizations. But she was her only organization," Boyle said.
Several of the guests remembered how Arnason famously voted against more than a few items at most meetings.
But her voting was never malicious, said Port Coquitlam Councillor Michael Wright. Wright served on the Library Board with Arnason for many years. He said she was always trying to remind staff to sharpen their pencils and get the best value for the dollar when it came to libraries.
The memorial brought old political rivals back together again.
Both former mayor John Scholtens and former councillor Heather McMullan agreed that a library was a fitting tribute to a woman who served for so many years on the regional library board.
McMullan joked that it was probably the first time she had agreed with Scholtens.
Scholtens remembered how Arnason had herself come from a poor home and had relentlessly bettered herself with education and reading. She always wanted others to do the same, and a library is a great centre for learning.
McMullan recalled how Arnason's husband John was always with her, and how through 60 years of marriage the two always worked together as equals.
The story of how they met has become a short video presentation, created by the Intergenerational Centre for Action Learning...