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MEMORIALS - FAREWELLS
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 2008
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Norma Boule
NORMA ALEXANDERINA BOULE
April 17, 1940 - March 15, 2008
Norma passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, with
family and friends by her side. She is lovingly remembered by her husband
Pierre, her daughter Mimi (Bernie and Anita), and her grandchildren Juliet,
Jerry, and Anthony. She is predeceased by her mother Elizabeth, father
Alexander, step dad Jim, and her two sons Mason and Anthony. She also has a
sister Betty. Norma was born in Scotland, on April 17, 1940.
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She immigrated to
Toronto in 1957. She met Pierre in Montreal in 1965. They moved to Thompson, Manitoba,
where they spent 35 years.Norma was an open custody provider and retired in
2002. Norma and Pierre moved down to Lorette in 2005, to be closer to their
daughter and grandson. She was also the founder of the Thompson Boys and Girls
Club. She was on the advisory board for the Tache Youth and President of the
Selkirk Business Professional Women's Association. Norma leaves behind many
friends. In lieu of flowers, Norma's wishes were that donations be made to
the Boys and Girls Club or to Pancreatic Cancer Research.
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2007
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Margaret Pronyk
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Margaret was a proud Past National President of BPW, but as an organization, we were
equally proud to have Margaret as our leader. She led with dignity, practicality and respect for all the membership.
Personally, Margaret was a great mentor to me, as she was to all she came in contact
with. Her support, wise advice and understanding will remain with me forever.
She taught us to make decisions and choices, to honour our
accomplishments, and above all to communicate with love and compassion.
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Margaret reminded me often, “we are our own worst critics,” so always have realistic
expectations, grow through challenges and you will succeed in anything you
attempt. Thank you Margaret. We will always treasure your wise advice and friendship.
Barb Ezart, BC Provincial President, Vice-president BPW Canada
While Margaret and I knew each other because of provincial meetings, our friendship grew out of a
controversy that arose in Provincial and it was put to rest because Margaret
and I hashed it out between us. From there, a bond formed that grew as we
became really good friends. I cherished her friendship and really missed her
when she left Manitoba even though we kept
in contact by e-mail and the occasional phone call.
Margaret was a person who I could be totally honest with and even if
she didn't agree with me – and believe me, we didn't always agree – she would
still listen to my point of view and I would, hers.
When Margaret became your friend, you knew that you truly had a
friend who was there for you and often would send you uplifting messages just
when you needed them. I would not wish
her back to suffer the pain, etc that had become her life but I am going to feel
the hole she has left in my life as I know that I can no longer e-mail her or
call her.
I feel blessed that I was able to call her a friend and will treasure
the mixture of memories such as hilarious laughter, late evening chuckles when
we shared a room at AGMS, serious times, sadness, and yes even anger that we
seemed to be able to resolve. I am
going to remember the intelligent, vibrant, caring, sensitive and savvy woman
and friend that she was. Margaret will
always be with those of us who called her friend and she will always be with BPW
as played a big part in her life and the organization and her friends were very
close to her heart.
BPW Manitoba and Canada were very fortunate in that they were the
benefactors of Margaret's ability to work through difficult situations and pull
people together for the good of the organization and what it stood for. Her
belief in what BPW stood for was strong and she put her whole heart and soul
into her work with the organization. A BPW Mentor has physically left us but her legacy with live on.
Elaine Elliot, BPW Selkirk, Past President of BPW Manitoba
It was a great pleasure knowing Margaret, sitting with
her at Convention, sharing a cup of coffee, and talking and laughing together.
She was a down to earth person who called a spade a spade. As a minister
and speaking from my own perspective, I believe Margaret is at peace and very
happy in her new home, and I think of her in that way.
Linda Hawes, CFBPWC Trustee; Campbellton, NB BPW Secretary
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2006
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Martha Aylott
This view of Martha Aylott’s
impact on community is penned somewhat-less-than-objectively by her surviving
husband Chris. Notations re BPW by District #4 Ontario Director Katherine Allen.
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The Toronto East BPW club is sad to announce the passing of
a faithful member and community activist Martha Aylott who succumbed to
the ravages of cancer at Toronto East General Hospital on November 27th,
2006 after struggling with the disease for the past three years.
Martha’s involvement with BPW began during the
1960s when she was a member of the North Toronto and Windsor Clubs.
Her husband Chris told me about attending an International dinner
of the North Toronto Club in 1968 when Elsie McGill was the guest speaker.
He was so impressed with the calibre of women involved with BPW. |
Martha
became involved again with BPW in the 1990s after she and Chris returned
from living in the Northwest Territories for several years. She joined the
Toronto East club in the early 1990s where she was very active in helping
keep the club going. Martha was pleased to have participated at the last
national BPW Convention held in Toronto in July.
Martha’s mother was also a BPW member many years ago but
I’m not sure which club.
Her husband Chris writes the following:
The 63-year-old professional
caregiver, who has lived in the multi-cultural Chapel Glen condominium complex
in Flemingdon Park’s Sunny Glenway for the past 11 years, gave of herself to
community in so many ways, some of them quietly in the background and without
fanfare.
A proponent of facing things
from a positive point of view, mostly with a smile on her face, Martha’s
involvement was eclectic, much of the time jumping right into the thick of
things and getting her hands dirty, literally. She became well-known to the
children in and around Sunny Glenway as the gardening lady, planting everything
from herbs to roses in the complex’s common areas, always encouraging her
little helpers.
Right to the end, she worked
diligently for the welfare of her friends and neighbours in her capacity as a
director of the York Condominium Corporation where she lived. She served terms
as that organization’s President and Treasurer. Her proactive approach embraced
such things as a multicultural mother’s day gathering honouring community
elders of all faiths, Halloween parties for children and “welcoming spring”
each year with educational sessions on growing things and recycling. She
advocated the regrowth of trees in and around her home.
Martha believed in community outreach and taking action. A
baptized and confirmed member of the Anglican Church, she believed in the
collective ecumenical approach to her faith, serving the Flemingdon Park
Anglican Ministry as well as pitching in with the Presbyterians of neighbouring
Gateway Community Church. She was seen often at mass with the Roman Catholics
of John XXIII in the shared worship centre and did not hesitate to go to mosque
to honour the memory of departed Muslim neighbours. Her quiet activism included
peaking out on behalf of the Flemingdon Park Food Bank and a group in the area
working on employment education opportunity for immigrants.
Although not quite a senior citizen, Martha took an interest
in the work and programs of E. P. Taylor Place in Don Mills. She would go on
outings with wheelchair-bound friends and pitched in wherever needed.
Martha Aylott was determined to go into business for herself
after going back to school to qualify as a Certified Personal Support Worker
(PSW). This she did, taking on clients as an independent, and finally earned
her living doing something she loved. Sadly, this was only to be for several
years as her own health problems surfaced at about the same time.
Being less-able to walk and get around failed to stop her from
expressing opinions and seeking action purely for the benefit of her adopted
Flemingdon Park home. She got to the occasional board meeting, spoke her mind
and made motions.
The final weeks of Martha’s life clearly were painful.
Smiles were less-frequent but she soldiered on almost without complaint,
spending much time on the telephone assuring people. Martha Aylott gave of
herself unflinchingly, right to the end.
She got a rousing sendoff from many friends and
acquaintances on Saturday, December 2nd, 2006 with an ecumenical
Celebration of Life at Gateway Community Church.
Nancy Bass
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Nancy at BPW Canada's National Convention in Toronto in July 2006
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Nancy Bass, life member of BPW Canada (North Toronto Club)
and
Past President of BPW Ontario (1998-2000) died at her home in Washago,
Ontario on October 17, having faced her final illness the way she faced her
life – with courage, grace and wit. Her indomitable spirit uplifted all who
knew her.
Just a few months ago, at the BPW Canada
Convention, Nancy proudly received her 25-year service pin, having joined BPW
in Bracebridge, Ontario and then moving to North Toronto, where she served in
many capacities, including club President and Director of District 4.
A psychology major and an insurance adjuster by profession, Nancy well understood
the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Her commitment to BPW was driven
by her strong sense of social justice and her faith in the ideals of our
sisterhood.
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Nancy’s deliberately casual manner and light touch
belied her compassion and thoughtful dedication to her duties. She was
passionate about her ideals, embracing her beliefs with her whole heart and bringing intelligence and
integrity to everything she did, while also having a
keen ability to see the funny side of things even if the joke was on herself.
Nancy could switch instantly from intense absorption in serious business to
wacky, off-the-wall humour, and then to sophisticated appreciation of fine arts and
literature. We will not soon forget her ever-present camera, the silly
hats, the bass slippers flapping down Conference halls, her jovial hospitality
or her endless repertoire of stories told with equal measures of farce, finesse and
insight.
Nancy was well loved and much admired and she will
be greatly missed.
By Fran Donaldson, President, and Marge Donovan, Past President
Nancy was a BPW member for over 20 years (as of 2006 it is 28 years). She
first joined BPW Bracebridge, then was a member of the Brampton BPW and was
a very active member of BPW North Toronto.
In all three clubs, Nancy held several Board positions. In the North Toronto club she served as
Program Chair, Bulletin Editor several times, Vice President and Club
President for two years. In her 16 years at BPW North Toronto, Nancy served
on the Board and on several committees at the same time, such as Bursary,
Planning, Finance, etc. and acted as our prime negotiator for the leases
when we rented premises at 3300 Yonge Street. During her term as our club
President, Nancy instituted such changes as a new professional format for
our club Bulletin, a library for women's books and articles and a filing
system for club reports.
From 1992-1994 Nancy served as Assistant
District Director for District 4 and then was voted in as District Director
for two years. During this time Nancy visited all the clubs in the District and
was available and willing to be a resource for any member or club at all
times.
Nancy served as Provincial Vice-President and was Provincial
President from 1998-2000. She has been a speaker at many clubs, including a panellist
at BPW North Toronto and has done numerous TV, radio and newspaper
interviews on behalf of BPW.
In addition to the above, Nancy initiated and was co-editor of the first BPW Ontario Annual Report and
continued to work actively in support of successive editors. She developed
the first program Booklet for Program Chairs. She also acted as the
"official" photographer for the organization.
Nancy encouraged the development of the BPW Ontario web site and has been active on the Resource
Center Committee.
At the International Congress in Venice, Nancy was a volunteer timekeeper and she acted as a BPW North Toronto delegate at National Conventions.
For several years Nancy hosted the brain-storming
sessions, which she initiated, at her home. The purpose of this gathering is
to assist the club Program Chair with ideas for the year's program, such as
suggestions for speakers, topics, panels, etc.
Nancy continued to encourage clubs and members to work closely together and maintain the aims and
objectives of BPW in whatever she does. Nancy received her life
membership of the Business and Professional Women's Club in
2001.
By Shirley Giles, Past Provincial President of BPW Ontario, on the occasion of Nancy's life membership.
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Florence M. (Mickey) Bell
BPW Penticton August 23, 1916 – September 28, 2006
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Mickey was one of a group of friends who
gathered together to charter the Penticton Business and Professional Women’s
Club. The Club will celebrate 60 years of work on behalf of working women in
Penticton later this month. Mickey was
behind many major projects of this organization over 60 years and remained an
active member at the time of her death. She served as Penticton Club President from 1948 to 49and
later as
editor of the Provincial Newsletter. She initiated a contest to name the newsletter
and
it became “Pacific
Currents” which is still published under that name today.
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She wore many other "hats" over the years and was on the National Board of the Canadian Federation of BPW clubs from 1956
to 1962 serving as National Programs Chair; Editorial Chair and Budget and Finance Chair. A born entertainer, Mickey was always up for fun activities in the name of BPW
and
attended innumerable
Regional, Provincial and National conferences over the years. She loaned her well known name to many high
profile projects such as the 9-1-1 telephone number campaign in the 80’s but
was also often quietly behind the scenes for events such as the National
Convention held in Penticton in 1990. Mickey represents an era of progress and achievement for women in all walks of life
and
she leaves a legacy of unquestioned integrity in this organization.
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Florence Lamb
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Long-time BPW member Florence Lamb passed away in Moncton, NB on August 24th at the age of 83.
Florence joined BPW in 1944 in Montreal, and later transferred her membership to Saint John,
NB when she moved there for work, and still later, to Moncton. Florence had retired from the
position of Executive Director of the Moncton YWCA in 1988. She was the last surviving member
of her immediate family. A BPW Moncton member at the time of her death, Florence was a wonderful
supporter of BPW, a solid member willing to help out at any time. She will be sadly missed.
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Marjorie Russell
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Long-time BPW Campbellton member Marjorie Russell passed away on
Thursday, August 17th. Marjorie served in many capacities in her club
over the years, and most recently was a Trustee for BPW Canada's Capital
Fund. The funeral service was held on Friday, August 25th in
Nouvelle, PQ (near the bridge to Campbellton, NB). Our condolences go
out to
her daughter Linda Hawes-Russell, also a BPW member, and the family.
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Beatrice (Bunny) Parton
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It was with much sadness that I received the news that
Bunny had passed away on July 30th, 2006. She had been a family friend for
many years, being my late aunt's "bridge" partner for many of
them but more special to me - a wonderful friend, mentor and supporter of BPW.
She and her late husband Bill (or Mr. BPW Bill, as he once referred to
himself) attended many functions worldwide and especially provincially,
always lending their support and enthusiasm to all members. Whenever
BPW had a fundraising event or other promotion, the Partons were always
there to help in anyway they could.
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Bunny will be long remembered
for being a "fighter for the rights of others," volunteering her time
to many organizations, for example, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks, Lions,
Status of Women, Council of Women as well as her great love of BPW Canada.
She received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, of which she was so
proud.
Bunny, I will miss you dearly, as will all the members of BPW worldwide, as you
were and always will be an inspiration to us all.
Rest in peace,
Barbara Ezart,
Vice-President, BPW Canada
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Beatrice (Bunny) was one of the
generation where family and service to the community were the pillars of
life and her example of a loyal, generous and hardworking woman who gave
so much of herself to care for, and about others, is one to extol.
I will remember her outgoing but
kind personality from my early days at international congresses – she
was very much part of the international BPW community. So it was good that
she could make it to the 75th anniversary in Lucerne in June
2005 where we last enjoyed her company and the fun Mary and she were
having on that trip. Two of the happiest memories Keith and I have were in
Canada, at Lethbridge where dear Bill was also present to share the BPW
Canada convention but also later in Vancouver 1999, where I chaired the
international congress which Bunny had worked so hard to bring to her home
city and to which she gave great support.
Sylvia G Perry, President, BPW International 1996 - 1999
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2005
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Charlotte VanDine
It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of long-time member Charlotte VanDine, who
passed away on May 31, 2005 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
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Charlotte was born in Fredericton, NB, but spent most of her working life in Montreal.
She served as the BPW Montreal Club President (1958-1960)and Canadian
Federation President (1970-1972). On the International level, she was Honorary
Secretary and Chair of the Constitution Advisory ad hoc Committee (1974-1980)and
Vice-President (1980-1982). In 1968, the Montreal Club honoured Charlotte with a Life Membership in the
Canadian Federation. She was named an Honorary President of the Canadian
Federation in 1980.
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After a long and distinguished career with Canadian International Paper Company in Montreal,
Charlotte retired to Fredericton and joined the club there (now disbanded), and
at the time of her death she was a member of BPW Moncton. It will not surprise
those who knew her that she bequeathed a generous gift to BPW Canada. Her
spirit and dedication will be missed. Just a year before her death, Charlotte addressed the members of BPW New Brunswick. Her words are
an enduring echo of her values and an inspiration to members everywhere. Take a moment to view
Charolotte's Inspiring Speech from May 15th, 2004 (Word Format).
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BPW CANADA