Passages In Memoriam

fellow nurses and members of committees like the Junior League and Medical Wives, and on the slopes, courts and dance floor. She gave her all, welcoming all into her home and her heart.

1950

Rosalie McKINNEY Broughton, on May 20, 2022.

1957

Janet Britta MADSEN, on August 23, 2022, in Stouffville, Ontario.

1958

Audrey BURTON Kendall (Gail), on March 17, 2022. Gail was the rare person who had more close friends the older they got. If there was a sporting match, a family occasion, a dock and a glass of wine, or a friend in need, she would unfailingly be there.

1961

Patricia ELLIOTT Smith, on August 16, 2022, in Palm Springs, California.

Sharon SISSONS Stewart, on October 24, 2022. At an early age, Sherry was stricken with polio. Despite the early challenges she faced, she found great joy as a mother and Nan. Sherry founded the Rosedale Day School (RDS), JK to Grade 2, in September 1995. She retired from RDS in 2010 but continued to be an active member of the RDS community, attending many school events.

1966

Ruth Ann WHIPP, on May 12, 2022. Ruth enjoyed a long career in education as Vice-Principal at Frank Oke Secondary School and York Memorial; and as Principal of York Humber High School, Runnymede Collegiate Institute and Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute. In the last seven years of her life, she turned hundreds of handwritten letters from her father (who served as an RCAF flight lieutenant) to her mother during the Second World War into a 400-page coffee-table book, titled Darling McGillicuddy.

1967

Margaret BUCHANAN Clarke, on June 1, 2022, in Poole, U.K. Margaret came to Branksome Hall in 1966 as an exchange student from Sherborne School for Girls in Dorset. Her life was characterized by constant inquiry, curiosity and love of people.

1979

Karen DURISH Cole, in April 2022, in Markham, Ontario.

1985

Wendi BROWN Warm’85, on June 8, 2022.

1988

Stephanie WAIT Little, on April 1, 2022.

Cherished friend and leader at Branksome, Stephanie passed away after a brief second battle with cancer. She is profoundly missed by her husband Chris Little, sons Matthew, Gregory and James, parents Tessie and John Wait, sisters Andrea WAIT’85 and Pauline WAIT Ferguson’89, and an army of friends.

Stephanie’s role as School Prefect was, fittingly, Head of Beta Kappa. Throughout her school years and beyond, she was the social epicentre of the Class of ’88. She authentically and enthusiastically connected with everyone and delighted in rallying the troops for all things fun.

Accordingly, Stephanie continued as Class Rep for school reunions. An enormous representation of the Class of ’88 at her memorial revealed her never-ending ability to bring people together, and the deep loss this Class feels.

Special tributes to Stephanie are planned for the upcoming reunion on June 3, and the fall edition of The READ.

1993

Roz HERMANT, on October 12, 2022, in Ontario.

Kelly DRINKWATER Buckingham’00

March 17, 2022, following a brief battle with mental illness.

Born December 10, 1981, in Toronto, Kelly enjoyed formative childhood years in England, excelling in ballet and on skis during family trips to the Alps. Always an animal lover–even stuffed animals—family dogs Bagshot and Boomer were her consummate companions.

Kelly graduated in 2000 from Branksome Hall, where she thrived and forged lifelong friendships. Kelly also connected with her Celtic roots during study programs in Dublin and St. Andrews, majoring in international relations, links golf and pub gatherings. She graduated from McGill University in 2004 with a degree in political science.

Kelly had an instinct for entrepreneurial opportunities, pursuing mortgage brokering, serving as president of her Toronto business club and following a passion for health and wellness ventures. Most recently, she and her husband, Matt, were realizing their dream of restoring and renovating a Victorian house into a hotel in Wellington, Prince Edward County. Always in her element on Lake Joe and Georgian Bay, we will forever picture her driving the Whaler, relaxing on the dock and swimming with her kids.

A natural, effortless beauty, Kelly had a genuine and honest character that endeared her to strangers and loved ones alike. Quick with a warm, dimpled smile, and generous with her time and empathy, Kelly maintained deep relationships with a tight but large circle of friends and family.

Kelly’s greatest joy was being a mother to Isabelle and Will, whose world she fi lled with wonder, creativity and immense love. She is survived by Matt and their children; her parents, Susie McCLELLAND Drinkwater’67 and David (Adele); her siblings, Jennifer DRINKWATER Jones’95 Jones (Kevin) and Michael (Cameron); and her five nieces and nephews.

Her large extended McClelland-Drinkwater-Buckingham family will all miss her dearly. We hope our devastating loss will help other families shine light on the mental health challenges that affect so many.

Kelly is part of a long legacy of Branksome women that includes her mother, Suzanne McCLELLAND Drinkwater’67; her sister, Jennifer DRINKWATER Jones’95; her aunts, Sarah McCLELLAND’74, and Carol McCLELLAND McCabe’68; her grandmothers, Margaret PHAIR Drinkwater’41 and Elizabeth MATCHETT McClelland’45; and her cousins, Lesley McCABE Dyer’98, Robin McCABE Cassaday’00 and Katie McCABE Cheesbrough’03. R