ALUMNAE WHO LOVE WHAT THEY DO
Award
Congratulationstoour2009graduatesonreceivingadmissionoffersfromthefollowinguniversities&colleges:
AcadiaUniversity
Bishop’sUniversity
CarletonUniversity
ConcordiaUniversity
DalhousieUniversity
LakeheadUniversity
LaurentianUniversity
McGillUniversity
McMasterUniversity
MountAllisonUniversity
NipissingUniversity
OntarioCollegeofArt&Design
Queen’sUniversity
RyersonUniversity
St.FrancisXavierUniversity
TrentUniversity
UniversityofBritishColumbia
UniversityofCalgary
UniversityofGuelph
UniversityofKing’sCollege
UniversityofOttawa
UniversityofToronto
UniversityofVictoria
UniversityofWaterloo
UniversityofWesternOntario
UniversityofWindsor
WilfridLaurierUniversity
YorkUniversity
AmherstCollege
AgnesScottCollege
BabsonCollege
BardCollege
BatesCollege
BostonCollege
BostonUniversity
CityUniversityLondon
ColgateUniversity
ColumbiaUniversity
CornellUniversity
DartmouthCollege
DukeUniversity
DurhamUniversity
FashionInstituteofTechnology
GeorgeWashingtonUniversity
GeorgetownUniversity
GlionInstituteofHigherEducation
Goldsmiths,UniversityofLondon
HarvardUniversity
IllinoisInstituteofTechnology
JohnsHopkinsUniversity
King’sCollegeLondon
LesRoches,Switzerland
LondonSchoolofEconomics
NewcastleUniversity
NewYorkUniversity
NorthCarolinaStateUniversity
NortheasternUniversity
ParsonstheNewSchool
forDesign
PennsylvaniaStateUniversity
PrincetonUniversity
RoyalHolloway
SarahLawrenceCollege
SchooloftheArtInstitute ofChicago
SkidmoreCollege
SyracuseUniversity
TrinityCollegeDublin
TuftsUniversity
UniversityofAberdeen
UniversityoftheArtsLondon
UniversityofBath
UniversityofBristol
UniversityofCambridge
UniversityofCincinnati
UniversityCollegeLondon
UniversityofEdinburgh
UniversityofGlasgow
UniversityofIllinois
UniversityofLeeds
UniversityofLondonSchool ofPharmacy
UniversityofManchester
UniversityofMaryWashington
UniversityofMiami
UniversityofMinnesota
UniversityofNottingham
UniversityofPennsylvania
UniversityofReading
UniversityofStAndrews
UniversityofSouthampton
UniversityofVirginia
UniversityofWarwick
VassarCollege
VirginiaPolytechnicInstitute andStateUniversity
Washington&Jefferson College
WesleyanUniversity
WilliamsCollege
YaleUniversity
Cate DOWSETT Dewey’73 reads to Kenyan children on August 4, 2009, in Butula, Kenya. The photo was taken by Victor Okumu, a local college graduate, who was hired by Cate as a research assistant to provide translations from Swahili into English. The children in the photo attend the Bukati Primary School and live with their mother; their father is deceased. The book Cate is reading is Braids, a story written and donated by children’s author Robert Munsch, and illustrated by Canadian school children. It sells for $10, with all proceeds going to support the Children of Bukati charity.
8 An Olympic Story
A Flashbac k to the 60s
9 Philanthropy at Branksome Hall
The exceptional work of t wo women
10 2009 Alumnae Award Recipients Janet DAVIDSON’66, O.C. Rebecca SAXE’97, Neuroscientist
22 Passion, Skill, Talent
The joys of doing what you love to do
Held May 23 and 24
Once again, reunion was celebrated in grand fashion by over 300 alumnae who returned to the campus for a nostalgic weekend with friends, classmates, teacher s and staff. Thank you, ladies, for your commitment to keeping in touch with your friends and the school! Photos from the weekend are throughout the Class Notes section, beginning on p. 29. More photos and details can be found on the Branksome Hall website at www.branksome.on.ca/alumnae/reunion/
So said Nellie McClung, the renowned politician and social activist, who helped pave the way for women’s voting rights in Manitoba and, ultimately, the rest of Canada. The renowned feminist lived her life with passion and conviction.
by Karen MurtonThis issue of The READ should get you thinking about how you choose to live your life. What fuels your passion? Is it the people you meet? Perhaps you are passionate about particular events or traditions? My son is passionate about jazz music; my mother is passionate about her four children; my best friend, about her work as a family physician.
My passion lies within the opportunity to make a difference — to take action and see results. It is the people with whom I interact, live and encounter along the way who fuel this passion.
Over the years, I have been blessed to be around people who turn their passion into action. They have been a part of my life, or they have entered it, when I wasn’t even looking or anticipating their arrival. I have always immediately recognized those who inspire me — the deep heart-to-heart connection is strong! Such people have made me a better educator, inspiring confidence, vision and energy. They have led me to be a risk-taker, to see the world through the eyes of others, and to believe that those who think differently can also be right.
These friends and acquaintances make me humble, while lifting my spirit so that I can take the next step or open yet another door.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why things never stay still at Branksome, or why our new mission statement resonates perfectly with all of us at the school: “Each day, we challenge and inspire girls to love learning and to shape a better world.” Fueled
by passion, we continue to engage our faculty and students in new opportunities. In February, a member of our faculty will become the first Branksome Hall teacher to partner with IB Projects internationally, as a volunteer in the tsunami-devastated regions of Sri Lanka. In March, a group of students will participate in our community service trip to South Africa, where they will work closely with students in the Queenstown Get Ahead Project (QGAP) school.
When their passion is ignited, seemingly ordinary people have a huge impact. For example, Peter Dalglish has been a friend for over 20 years. As the founder of Street Kids International and now the Executive Director of the South Asia Children’s Fund, Peter is well known internationally. It all began on October 23, 1984, after seeing the first report on the devastating Ethiopian famine, and Peter knew his life would never be the same. He went on to organize the massive Canadian Ethiopian airlift, bringing food and medical supplies to Ethiopia on December 24, 1984.
“Never retract. Never explain. Never apologize — get the thing done and let them howl.”
Peter’s life’s work is embedded in his passion to help the world’s poorest children. In his book, The Courage of Children, Peter is described as having, “a kind of restless energy that is very impatient of obstacles.” Peter admits that, “It’s true I don’t suffer fools gladly, and I enjoy breaking rules and challenging systems. I have no time for hypocrisy and I refuse to be intimidated by institutions. From the moment we conceived the airlift, until the day the planes arrived in Ethiopia, we have heard the word ‘impossible’ at least 20 times from representatives of aid organizations and governments.”
There are countless others who have ignored the word, “impossible” and followed their passion. We see the product of their effort every day.
Another such individual is Greg Mortenson, co-author of Three Cups of Tea, a book about his efforts to build schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan and the friendships he forges along the way.
Three Cups of Tea will inspire many Branksome students, parents and employees as part of our school-wide reading project whereby we invite them to read this awardwinning book during the 2009–10 school year. I recommend this book to alumnae, as well. I hope that you enjoy its theme of peace through education, which is perfectly aligned with the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate.
Yet another inspirational person is Cate DOWSETT Dewey’73, who graces the cover of this issue of The READ and shares her story of founding the Children of Bukati charity to help feed, educate and support orphans in western Kenya. I know that you will enjoy Cate’s story and those of other inspirational alumnae featured in this issue.
Every one of us has the seed of passion. It is within us to be fueled, fed and inspired — and once we find it, we see the world differently. I
Earlier this year, Canadian homeowners learned about a new incentive from the government: a 2009 tax credit for home improvements! The news couldn’t have come at a better time for me, as my old Leaside house was starting to show its age.
by Tanya Pimenoff
I had known for a while that outdoor work was needed. However, the inevitable was confirmed last spring when, during a heavy downpour, I watched with resigned misery as water cascaded onto my front porch. Seeing small lakes form near the basement window was the last straw — the expense of an exterior facelift could not be put off any longer.
“John” was the first to survey the situation. “You have other issues,” he cheerfully remarked, producing photos of a chimney noticeably leaning to the east and a roof that had seen better days. Just like that, replacing the eaves became a bigger job. The photos did not lie; I needed work done. First the chimney, then the roof, then the eaves. And replacing the 30-year-old gas furnace — where would this all end? All I saw were dollar signs.
I set about getting quotes and, as they came in, I learned (in way too much detail, thanks to my curious nature) all about bricks and mortar, chimney liners, output vents, updrafts, downdrafts, caulking, scaffolding, laminated tiles, ice guards, downpipes… the list goes on. However, as work finally began in late summer, and as I observed the outdoor transformation, I became fascinated by the skill of each person who tirelessly pieced my house together. These folks all had passion, skill and talent. Brilliant! Further inspiration for the upcoming READ.
Of special note was Kevin, the chimney man, who worked beside his teenage son. His mission, he said, was to teach his young apprentice all the tricks of the trade. This was a family business. I admired the father/son bond as much as I admired the end result: the finest chimney on the street. Then, in early September, after the new laminated roof was nailed down, a young husband/ wife team arrived to tear down the old soffits and fascia and install the new. They were experts in that one specific area, and worked with quiet skill from dawn to dusk. They had been a team for 10 years — they loved their job, a love that was reflected in the finished product.
All the outdoor work is now complete at my house. I am a happy homeowner, grateful to John for his expertise and to all the fine people whose skills came together with stellar results.
As you turn to the stories about passionate, skilled and talented alumnae in the following pages, I hope that you will feel a strong connection to the women who have contributed so much to so many. Their words so eloquently speak to the joys of being guided by what they love to do, truly defining the heart and soul that lies within our Branksome community. I
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
A fe w years ago, I was determined to learn something ne w. I wanted to stretch myself. I wanted to remember what it felt like to journey from ignorance to understanding. I wanted to learn something completely unrelated to anything I had done before.
by Jane CONNOR’84I have al ways enjoyed music, and wondered if I had any aptitude specifically for playing guitar. I decided it was time to travel from being a passive to active par ticipant in this universal language.
To star t this journey, I had to accept that I was musically Tabula Rasa and would have to engage myself fully in the process of learning. I had to be patient, persistent and I had to practise. I had to star t with the building blocks and
walk, or str um, before I could r un, or play. To star t, a seemingly simple 4/4 str um rhythm flummoxed me. With practice it became metered and more confident. Next, I took that rhythm and added some chord changes. I was right back at the beginning
again, fumbling around the fret board and the sound box. Again, persistence… practice…patience…and respect for the journey from ignorance to understanding, and I felt it star ting to come together.
Eventually, the sound of my first song star ted to emerge. Now it was time to layer the song lyrics over the str umming and chord changes. I was back at the beginning again. My right hand could not work with my left, while I tried to concentrate on the words that “float” over the music. Practice, patience and persistence, and my first song finally star ted to take shape. It actually sounded recognizable.
It was a euphoric day when my instr uctor smiled and said, “Hey, now you have one song in your reper toire.” I walked home from that lesson on air ; I was thrilled, energized and so excited. I had journeyed from practice, patience and persistence to pride. I soon found that for ever y new technique and song I learned, more possibilities emerged, opening fur ther doors to musical exploration.
I will never be a “Buddy Guy,” but it doesn’t matter. My passion is in the process of journeying to understanding. It is the passion of discover y and possibility. If, during this journey, I can provide a little enter tainment and escape for people as they sing along or even laugh at my mischords, then I am richer for it. I
We boast a community of dedicated volunteers who contribute tirelessly to create a warm, inviting and engaging environment through the events and activities they organize. For information, or to volunteer, please contact Tanya Pimenoff at 416-920-6265, ext. 285, or tpimenoff@branksome.on.ca.
Thank you to our retur ning alumnae who volunteered to speak to our Gr ade 10 Career Studies students in May. Your enter taining accounts of educational and work exper iences delighted and informed the students and, impor tantly, offered a first-hand and honest look at a var iety of professions.
Shelby obtained her law degree from the Univer sity of Western Ontario in 2006. During her time at Western, she received several awards and scholarships — one being the Newton Rowell Scholar ship for commitment to public service. Prior to going to Western, Shelby obtained a degree in Government from the American Univer sity in Washington, D.C. Shelby currently works at the law firm Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, where she is developing a broad practice in civil litigation.
Claire BASINSKI’04 has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, majoring in Urban Planning, from the Univer sity of Waterloo. She currently works as a Transportation Planner at MMM Group, where she is involved with the York Region Transportation Master Plan Update.
Alissa MORRISON’91 started her career in dramatic television at Sullivan Entertainment and worked in the story department on Road to Avonlea and as Story Editor on Wind at My Back. She was directly involved in the production, creation and creative development of feature films, mini-series and television movies. In 2004, Alissa joined Fusion Television as Series Producer for Divine Design with Candice Olson. She is currently the Head of Production and Development, over seeing shows such as Colour Confidential and Fearless in the Kitchen.
some for 14 year s. She received a degree from Queen’s Univer sity in 2000 and soon realized that her passion was for helping people. Kathryn graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2008 and is currently in practice at the Wellpath Clinic.
While at Branksome, Emma HUNTER’03 was regularly seen in Senior School performances. She played Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, and sang and danced her way through the centennial play, acting out the role of Miss Edith Read. Emma studied drama at Queen’s Univer sity and graduated in 2007. She is an accomplished dancer, receiving a platinum award at the American Dance Association National Competition in 2001. Emma is currently a member of the Roseneath Theatre group
Jo WAN’94 received a B A. (Hons) in History and Politics at Royal Holloway, Univer sity of London, and went on to complete a further five year s of post-graduate work, after which she decided to turn her attention to business. Seven year s ago, Jo started up FLECKTARN.CO.UK In addition to providing supplies for the military, law enforcement and outdoor market, the company has been called on to costume a few major productions, the latest of which was Quantum of Solace, a James Bond movie. Jo lives in Surrey, England, but was in Toronto to attend her 15th reunion
We welcom
Tenley attended Branksome from Grade 5 until her graduation in Grade 12. She spent an additional year traveling and attending Neuchatel Junior College in Switzerland. Tenley received a B.A. from McGill University and went on to work year-round at Camp GayVenture, a private girls’ camp located in Haliburton, until its closure. With a strong interest in art and design, Tenley pursued her passion and obtained a Diploma in Interior Design. In 2003, Tenley started up her own design firm, Perfect 10 Design, and enjoys working on a variety of commercial and residential projects. Tenley lives in Toronto with her dog Marley.
Mitchell’63 Lynda attended Branksome from Grades 8–13. After studying for one year at the University of Guelph, she went to work at National Tr ust, and then set off for travels in Europe for several months. Upon returning to Toronto, Lynda entered Lakeshore Teachers’ College. Her teaching career began in 1967 as a Junior and Senior Kindergar ten teacher with the Etobicoke Board of Education. Ten years ago, she retired after 32 years and near ly 1,400 four and five year olds in her care. In 1995, after waiting 50 years to find “Mr. Right,” Lynda married Jim Mitchell. Her family in-
cludes two stepdaughters, three granddaughters and a grandson. Lynda volunteers for the City of Mississauga, chairing the committee to facilitate the twinning of Mississauga and Kariya City in Japan — work that has taken her to Japan many times.
Carolyn HELBRONNER’79 Carolyn is a Par tner in the Pension & Employee Benefits and Tax Groups at Blakes, Cassels & Graydon. Her practice relates primarily to pension, benefit and compensation issues, and related investment arrangements. Most recently, Carolyn was voted in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2009, by peers as one
Every September, the Alumnae Executive bids adieu to committee members who have tirelessly supported the work of the Alumnae Association by attending monthly meetings and working on its many friendraising and fundraising events. Thank you, ladies!
Stephanie FULFORD’89, 2005 – 09
Stephanie co-chaired the Poinsettia Sale in 2005 and 2006, and chaired it in 2007.
She was a member of the Alumna Awards Selection Committee in 2007, and volunteered at Plaid Tidings 2005, the 2006
Spring Plant Sale, Curling Night in 2007 and Reunion Weekend 2007.
Sandra JARVIS’83, 2005 – 08
Sandra was Treasurer from 2005 – 07, and each year helped with the Poinsettia Sale.
Christina MARCHANT Shatilla’92, 2005 – 09
Christina was on the Golf Day Committee in
2006, 2007 and 2008. She assisted with the Poinsettia Sale in 2005 and 2006, and was on the Alumna Awards Selection Committee in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, she volunteered at Reunion Weekend.
Patsy SMITH Bell’89, 2007– 09
Patsy co-chaired Reunion Weekend in 2008 and 2009, and chaired the Décor Committee for Plaid Tidings in 2007 and 2008.
Dominique VITALIS’93, 2006 – 09
Dominique chaired Golf Day 2007, and volunteered at Plaid Tidings in 2006 and 2007, and at Golf Day 2008.
of the leading employee benefits lawyers. Carolyn is married and has two sons.
Carol SULLY Gulyas’67 Life has been rewarding and family-filled for Carol. With a degree in Home Economics, she became a Family Studies Teacher and a Home Economics Consultant. Carol and husband Greg, whom she met in Grade 13, have three children: Drew, Ryan, and Cate’02, and three granddaughters. Carol spent many precious moments with Cate at Branksome, often ear ly in the morning, at hockey and rowing practices. Carol concluded her teaching career and incor porated her company, Home Economics Consulting Ser vices Inc., in 1997. She now works predominantly as a food stylist for film and print, and consults widely with clients in the food industr y. Carol utilizes her professional skills in her volunteer work with the Park Lawn Food Pantr y, which ser ves seniors and others in need. She also helps to r un the annual “Pie in the S ky” fundraiser, organized by the Toronto People With Aids Foundation.
Lois WAYMAN Brown’62 Lois attended Branksome from 1949–62. She graduated from the Hospital for Sick Children School of Radiography program in 1965. Lois is the President of Xray Imaging Consultants Ltd., Veterinar y Radiological Ser vices and a
senior par tner in Inspiravance, an online continuing education website for medical health professionals. She earned her master ’s degree from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge in 2005. The subject of her thesis was a tutoring program, developed with a colleague, to assist foreign trained technologists to obtain their licence to practise radiography in Canada. Her other interests include quilting, photography, woodworking and maintenance of her champion eventing horse ‘R’ Kameo.
Nicole Thornburrow Alumnae/Parents’
Associations Student Rep Nicole arrived at Branksome in Grade 5. She is ver y involved in spor ts, especially field hockey, and being the co-head of the climbing club keeps her busy in her co-curricular involvement. She also volunteers as a tutor in the JUMP, QGAP and Horizons programs. Outside of school, Nicole has been studying dance and piano for many years. As Student Rep, she will attend the monthly Alumnae Association and Parents’ Association meetings, repor ting about the activities of the student body and acting as a liaison between the committees, the Advancement Office and students. I
On April 22, MacNeill Dining Hall was abuzz with activity as the Class of 2009, together with their mother s, got an early start to their day at the Graduating Year Breakfast This annual occasion marks the transition of each soon-to-be graduate from student to alumna, and is an event generously sponsored by the Alumnae Association Devon DOMELLE Par sons’95, Past President of the Alumnae Association, welcomed guests to the celebration. She was followed by Principal Karen Murton, who congratulated the girls on their great accomplishments and introduced Ruth Ann Penny, this year’s guest speaker and mother of Rachel PENNY’07 and 2009 Head Girl
Fiona Penny
Ruth Ann, also then Director of Admissions, paid tribute to the wealth of talent among all the moms and remarked on how, in her numerous roles at Branksome over the
year s, she had witnessed their daughter s mature and grow. Ruth Ann shared stories of her love of music, reflecting on how important it is for everyone to develop their own “song-story” and pur sue their passions.
Ruth Ann further inspired the students to take their own paths in life: “Your friends, your mother s, your teacher s will always want you to return so that we can hear not only of your accomplishments, which will be stellar, but also of your evolving song-story We will always be ready to echo back to you its immense, immeasurable value.” She concluded her talk by saying: “We will very soon have a new and bitter sweet obligation, a final and never-ending task — to let each other go, to sing each other along the year s and over the miles and, from time to time, to sing each other here — home. That is how we will Keep Well the Road.”
— Esther Chang, Advancement OfficeBranksome Hall now observes “Meatless M to reduce the school’s ecological footprint sustainability action plan. This new initiativ a diver sity of vegetarian meals to students staff as a means to educate the community on how eating meatless meals one day a week can benefit the environment This meal plan will be followed only at lunchtime, and will not impact the residence girls’ menu at breakfast or dinner. Interestingly, the idea to forego meat was put into play by volunteer worker s at the YWCA during the dark days of the Fir st World War As learned via our Archives Office, Margaret Kemp, a boarder at Branksome in 1917, held the volunteer position of Work Convenor at the Y during this, her final year at the school In addition to various charitable projects such as supporting two orphan girls and sewing or knitting items to donate to the Red Cross, the organization held two meatless Sundays each month. The money saved from not eating meat was given to support various Red Cross causes.
As a follow-up to the a r ticle on Bran k some Oly mpians
we a re delighted to showcase world figu re sk ating cha mpion Wendy GRINER Ballantyne’63 whose successes were not k now n to us until recently. Here is her stor y — one of talent, sk ill and passion — how appropr iate for this issue!
I STARTED BRANKSOME IN GRADE 3. I loved it from the star t and remember classes in the big old house on the west side of Mt. Pleasant.
My skating career began in a ver y casual way — to meet and make friends. But, by the time I was 10, my casual pastime became a full-time pursuit, as I had quickly picked up the intricacies of gliding on a narrow and ver y shar p blade.
My first major win was at the 1959 Junior Ladies Championship of Canada. The next year, I won the Senior Ladies Championship of Canada and, as a ver y excited 15 year old, went to my first Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, where I finished 12th. Three weeks later, in Vancouver, I finished 7th at the Wor ld Championships.
In Grade 10, skating took me away to Europe for most of the winter. If it were not for the efforts of my friend, the late Lyn HAMILTON’63, who would faithfully bring me my homework and take my finished work to my teachers, I am sure I would
never have made it through my grades.
In 1961, I again won the Senior Ladies Championship of Canada and went on to the Nor th American Championships (a competition between Canadians and Americans). There, I came second to Laurence O wen. We left immediately for the Wor ld Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. We had been there for only a day when we heard the terrible news that there had been a plane crash and that the entire American team had been killed. I had been booked on that flight myself but had changed it at the last moment, so my name
was still on the passenger list. Evidently, my friends at school thought at first that I had perished too. It was a ver y sad time. The championships were cancelled for that year
In 1962, after again winning the National Championship, I went back to Prague for the Wor ld Championships, where I took the silver medal. In May, I was invited to go to Ber lin (where the Ber lin Wall had been erected the summer before) to do exhibitions. It was most interesting, as I was in Grade 12 at the time and we were studying European Histor y and the unification of Germany.
At the star t of Grade 13, I asked special permission to take my final year over a two-year period, as it seemed impossible for me to study for nine exams when I would be missing so much school. Unfor tunately, Principal Jennie MacNeill would not allow it and so, ver y sadly, I had to leave Branksome to complete my schooling elsewhere. That year, I won the National title again as well as the gold medal at the Nor th American Championships. In 1964, I finished second at the National Championships and went on to represent Canada at the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbr uck, where I finished 10th. I
Wendy hung up her skates in 1964. She lives in Thunder Bay with her husband Don, a retired surgeon. They enjoy summers at their cottage just outside the city, and try to travel in the winter months. Wendy and Don are parents of Peter, Rob and Karen BALLANTYNE’93.
(The READ, Spr ing 2009),Wendy at the 1963 World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, where she finished fourth.
Time and time again, I’ve seen women make the most significant and compelling contributions to the not-for-profit sector
As the new Executive Director of Advancement, I recently met Pat STRATHY Davidson’60. After years in the working wor ld and time spent raising two wonderful daughters, Linton CARTER’86 and Sarah CARTER’88, Pat turned her skills, talents and passion to S kyWorks Charitable Foundation, a non-profit organization that captures contemporar y social justice issues through filmmaking. The documentaries S kyWorks produces raise questions, stimulate discussion, encourage audience par ticipation and train par ticipants as peer facilitators in social and community change. Several other noted alumnae have been involved too: the late Nancy ADAMS MacDonnell’62, Lynn WILLIAMS Ross’59, Nancy WILLIAMS Garrow ’61 and Jackie GARROW’91.
For Branksome, the best par t has been Pat’s interest in connecting her good work with our community by sharing selected films with alumnae, staff and faculty. And, did I mention that Pat is also a Branksome donor and volunteer? What a remarkable contribution to this school and to the global community.
Senator Nancy RUTH’60 is yet another example of an alumna who is making a difference. Nancy’s contributions to social justice and women’s issues are exemplar y and her passion and sure-fire grit have brought women’s life experiences, values and aspirations into public choices. Her accomplishments are vast.
As an advocate of social change for women and gir ls in Canada, she co-founded
many organizations, including the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), the Canadian Women’s Foundation, the Women’s Future Fund and the Char ter of Rights Coalition, to name a few. And, she reminds us of the legacy of women who have come before — The Famous Five, for example, who were driven by anger at many injustices. This led to the ultimate legal victor y in 1929 that meant women could be appointed to the Senate. How good it is to be reminded. And, did I mention that Sen-
cannot be found in most cor porate roles.
At Branksome, we rely on philanthropic suppor t. It has been at the cornerstone of our success. Each generation of students has benefited from the vision and generosity of past suppor ters. So many projects (and dreams) have been made possible over the years, and I am confident they will be made possible in the future. But, we’ll need a groundswell of suppor t from women leaders.
I see evidence of the collective talents, skills and passions of the Branksome community ever ywhere I turn. Individually, and as a community, the generosity, leadership and par ticipation of Branksome Hall alumnae has, and will continue to have, a profound impact on our shared future.
ator Nancy Ruth is a philanthropist, too?
Senator Nancy RUTH’60 reminds us: “an appalling small percentage (as low as 10%) of the total charitable giving in Canada goes to gir l-specific charities.”
Clear ly, this has to change.
Ever ywhere I look within the not-forprofit sector, especially at Branksome, I see such evidence of women’s exceptional ser vice. As I look to the next generation of gir ls, I see wonderful signs that many will choose the not-for-profit path; one that brings with it the complexities of working with multiple stakeholders and volunteer boards — a path that offers fulfilment that
I invite you to learn more about the contributions of our community in Notable & Quotable: The 2008–09 Donor and Giving Report, included with this issue of The READ. Read the quotes from those who, through their time, talents and treasure, help us to ensure that each day we can continue to challenge and inspire gir ls to love learning and to shape a better wor ld. I
To learn more about options and benefits of making gifts to the school, please visit the Support Branksome section on the website, www.branksome.on.ca/support/, or contact Donna Richardson, Executive Director of Advancement, at 416-920-6265 ext. 121 or drichardson@branksome.on.ca.
Janet DAVIDSON’66 always believed that health ca re was a profession in which she could th r ive. Her instincts proved to be on the ma rk .
AFTER GRADUATING FROM BRANKSOME, Janet received a B.Sc.N. from the University of Windsor. She spent her ear ly years in a variety of positions, ranging from teaching nursing, to National Coordinator for the Canadian Red Cross in Toronto, to a Consultant with the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, DC. In 1979, Janet relocated to Edmonton to pursue graduate studies in Health Administration (MHSA) at the University of Alber ta. She spent over six years with the Alber ta Ministr y of Health in a variety of management positions in policy, hospital
operations and capital planning, and subsequently moved into senior positions within the University of Alber ta Hospital. Since 2000, Janet has worked in top executive positions in British Columbia and Ontario.
Neatly interwoven into Janet’s career has been her volunteer work with the International Red Cross/Red Crescent, the largest voluntar y humanitarian organization in the wor ld. For over 30 years (10 in a senior governance capacity), she has worked in myriad environments, including on the front lines of malaria and HIV/AIDS relief
in Africa, rebuilding entire nations in tsunami- and hurricane-affected countries, and protecting victims of conflict in different regions of the wor ld.
Janet’s leadership and management skills are cer tainly being applied in her current position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mississauga’s Trillium Health Centre, one of Canada’s largest community hospitals. The honours bestowed upon Janet over the years — an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2006 and a University of Alber ta Alumnae Honour Award in 2004 are just two examples — speak to the high regard in which she is held.
Following are excerpts from Janet’s acceptance speech, delivered at the Awards Presentation on May 24, 2009. The full speech can be found at www.branksome.on.ca/alumnae/awards.
IT IS AN HONOUR TO BE GIVEN THE Allison Roach Alumna Award. My time at Branksome has always held a special place in my life. It was here where I first developed an interest in, and love for, public ser vice.
I have been lucky to be able to integrate public ser vice into my professional and personal lives. Indeed, I often say my career (both professional and voluntar y) has been more serendipitous than deliberate! I often tell young people that sometimes it is not good to tr y and plan out your life too far in advance. First, it may cause you to ignore oppor tunities that may arise outside of your “plan.” Second, as you go through life, your views change — things that were impor tant to you at one stage in your life may no longer carr y the same impor tance at another stage.
I think of my own life. In 1990, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the long-term prognosis was not good. The treatment program was aggressive and difficult, but it worked and I am forever thankful that it did. But, it had a profound impact on my life. Previously, I was more
focused on long-term initiatives. I changed. The long term was still impor tant (I wanted to live), but I began to look at things from a shor ter-term perspective. Jobs that I hadn’t even considered before suddenly took on a heretofore unappreciated attraction.
Throughout my professional career I have been privileged to work with outstanding people who genuinely want to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Regardless of where I have worked, or in what sor t of role, or the type of work I did, I can say, unreser vedly, that my greatest joy was, and continues to be, the people.
The focus of my volunteer life has been humanitarian ser vice through the International Red Cross/Red Crescent. Whether in war-torn countries, amid disease outbreaks, or assisting disaster relief work, in all instances, the ability to make positive change has al ways depended on people. In the Red Cross/Red Crescent wor ld, we call it “The Power of Humanity.”
Ser vice to community, ser vice to our countr y, ser vice to the wor ld — this is something I believe in passionately. As global citizens, we have a responsibility and an obligation to assist others to help make this wor ld a better place. And it takes so little — donating time or money, volunteering in a community agency, helping someone in your community, par ticipating in green programs…the oppor tunities are endless and the rewards are immeasurable. Isn’t this, after all, what is meant by “Keep Well the Road?” I
Since 1903, Branksome Hall has inspired women who stand for strength of family, personal convictions, diversity and community — values that are, and always will be, strongly upheld by the school.
For more information and to download a 2010 nomination form, please visit www.branksome.on.ca/alumnae/ awards/.
Alexandra MEIKLEJOHN’07 is passionate about rowing and rowed for Branksome Hall from 2004 to 2007.
Last spring, Alexandra was selected, along with 27 Ontario rower s and two coxies, to row for Team Ontario at the 2009 Canada Summer Games, held in Prince Edward Island from August 15 to August 22. Alexandra and her crewmate, Allisha Campaigne (of the Kingston Rowing Club), rowed in the Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls and won Gold for Ontario! Their boat at this event was the one used by the Canadian women who won Bronze at the Beijing Olympics. Branksome Hall had purchased the boat, now christened “Beijing Bronze,” and was honoured to lend it to the Ontario Provincial Team for this event.
Alexandra is now at the Univer sity of Victoria, continuing her studies commenced at Queen’s Univer sity. She will row for the Univer sity of Victoria during the school year
SHARING THEIR UNIVERSITY STORIES with students are, top: Juliann DESJARDINS’06 (UWO) and Emily HERCZEG’07 (Queen’s); bottom: Yasin AKBARI’06 (Johns Hopkins), Alexandra BLAKESLEE LANDEGGER’06 (Georgetown), Katie REIFFENSTEIN’04 (Guelph) and Georgia DESJARDIN’07 (UBC).
ss their stories about the univer sity application process and student life after Branksome. Univer sities represented are in Canada, the United States and aboard. Each alumna has her own per sonal story that provides an honest, fir st-hand overview of those all-important univer sity year s. If you would like to showcase your university on a future speakers’ panel, please contact Tanya Pimenoff at tpimenoff@branksome.on.ca.
Neuroscientist and professor Rebecca
SAXE’97 is fascinated by the human brain — so much so that she has made it her life work to study how one brain can think about another. This challenging endeavour has put Rebecca at the cutting edge of science and brain research.
AFTER SEVEN YEARS AT BRANKSOME, Rebecca went to Oxford University where she ranked first in the Honour School of Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology. Rebecca continued her studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was granted a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science in 2003. Her thesis repor ted the discover y of a human brain region that is used specifically for thinking about other people’s thoughts. Rebecca was then named a Junior Fellow in Har vard University’s Society of Fellows — an elite group of young scholars across all disciplines of ar ts and sciences. Among the other Junior Fellows that year was Allan Adams, a theoretical physicist and glider pilot. Rebecca and Allan were married in 2007.
Since 2006, Rebecca has been a professor at MIT. She investigates human social cognition and moral judgment. A talented writer and lecturer, Rebecca travels extensively when not in her lab or classroom. She has published numerous papers, essays and book reviews, and gives talks in Canada, the United States and abroad.
In 2009, Rebecca was named one of the “Brilliant Ten” young scientists in the United States by Popular Science magazine.
Excerpts from Karrie Weinstock’s introduction of Rebecca SAXE prior to the award presentation on May 24, 2009.
REBECCA ARRIVED AT BRANKSOME IN Grade 7 and, from the first day, was an exceptional student in ever y subject area. Rebecca was a cheerful and positive presence in the school and she had a way of connecting both with students and adults and having the conversations and intellectual stimulation she needed.
I remember her sending me a letter from Israel one summer telling me about a night her group had spent in the deser t and her descriptions of the colours of the shifting sand as the night came on. Rebecca wrote lyrically and beautifully and, not surprisingly, won the Prize Essay Competition and was the Editor of the school newspaper, The Kilt Press.
Rebecca was the first Branksome student ever to win direct entrance from high school to Oxford University. We were all
exceptionally proud of her and so excited when she went in the spring to Oxford for her inter view. She came back full of stories about the inter view and a question she was asked that I will never forget. She was asked how to throw a cricket ball from a third floor of the college onto the grass without breaking the window. Rebecca got it! The answer, of course was, “open the window.” This appealed to Rebecca’s delightful and irreverent sense of humour
As an IB Wor ld School, Branksome Hall encourages its students to be inquirers and thinkers, to be knowledgeable and principled communicators who take risks and strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others. These impor tant characteristics cer tainly describe this year ’s recipient of the 2009 Young Alumna Achievement Award. We congratulate Rebecca, wish her well and look forward to having her back to inspire the next generation of scientists. I
Rebecca was unable to attend the award presentation ceremony. Dr. Dianne Saxe accepted the award on her daughter’s behalf, thanking all of Rebecca’s teachers who had such a great influence on her education. Dr. Saxe spoke of the skill, hard work and love that Rebecca received at Branksome during the 90s, and how grateful she is for three key gifts that the school provided: a top-quality education that encourages girls to excel; room for individual needs that acknowledge girls’ different strengths and weaknesses; and flat-out support when it counts.
This award recognizes an alumna nominated before her 35th birthday for her outstanding achievements, and encourages and rewards the high standards of the Branksome Hall community.
For more information and to download a 2010 nomination form, please visit www.branksome.on.ca/alumnae/ awards/.
For Martha ROBINSON Butterfield’59, school served as a corner stone in her life and taught her to think critically and communicate effectively. So, when presented with an opportunity to lead her classmates in an exciting reunion giving project — to raise money to enhance every student’s public speaking potential — she enthusiastically agreed As Martha outlined in her letter to the Class of 1959, the project was simply this: to raise funds to purchase lecterns for every English and Social Science classroom in the Senior and
Grade 11 student Jordyn Benattar practises her speech in a co-curricular debating class. Coaches Tracy DALGLISH’81 and Aija Zommers provide helpful tips from the sidelines.
Middle School. With Branksome Hall’s Vision to “be the pre-eminent educational community of globally minded learner s and leader s,” the fundraising project would tie into one of the school’s priorities — to provide students with the skills and self-confidence they would need to master public speaking, a fundamental tool necessary in the 21st century
Martha ROBINSON Butterfield’59 with Deena PANTALONE Reale’95, Reunion Weekend Co-chair.
Thanks to the Class of 1959, 10 lecterns have been put to good use since the start of school in September. According to Debating Coach Aija Zommer s, “public speaking” requires a formal setting, otherwise you are “just speaking.” The students will continue to learn the right ways and the wrong ways to use the lecterns when preparing their speeches and presentations.
Thank you to everyone from the Class of 1959 who participated in this successful fundraising project!
Meg LEDERER’04, left, and Liz KIRK’99 are experiential educator s with ALIVE Outdoor s, an organization that provided the program for Grade 9 Branksome students who spent time at Camp Onondaga in September. Liz and Meg led activities such as kayaking and leader ship initiatives at the camp during “week without halls,” an off-campus component of the Senior School curriculum It was a trip down memory lane for everyone when Guidance Counsellor Laura Bincik, far right, invited her former colleague, then school nur se Betty Sharpe, who now lives near Minden, to the camp for a social visit
As an alumna, you may be contemplating enrolling your daughter or granddaughter at your alma mater. Here, Karr ie Weinstoc k, Head of Senior/Middle School and Admissions, answers some of the questions that alumnae have regarding the admissions process at Branksome Hall. A 30-year veteran of Branksome, she previously ser ved as Vice-Pr incipal of Admissions in the 1990s.
Q: How does the Admissions Office view a daughter of an alumna?
A: We value alumnae family applications; they speak to your suppor t of the Branksome community and its unique traditions. Each fall, we hold a special admissions information evening for alumnae families. This is a great oppor tunity to learn from our Admissions Team about the independent school application process, whether for your daughter or son.
Q: How has the school changed since I was a student?
A: There have been changes in our programs, but what has not changed are the spirit and warmth that have always been Branksome!
Branksome introduced the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) in 2003. This
liberal ar ts program which star ts in Junior Kindergar ten and extends to Grade 12, builds on the ideal of the “ well-rounded” student that Branksome Hall has al ways promoted.
Technology has changed the way we teach, learn and communicate at Branksome. We are now phasing in a laptop program, star ting with Grades 7 and 8 in 2010. Technology has entered the admissions process as well, with our website, on-line registration forms and e-newsletters. Families around the globe can communicate easily with us, and we can blog and post regular updates on school life.
Learning strategies is another area where the school has evolved. Our Director of Learning Strategies works with teachers, students and families to understand,
Karrie Weinstock
Head of the Senior/Middle School and Admissions
Sarah Craig
Head of the Junior School
Anne Beveridge
Assistant Head of the Junior School
Roberta Longpré
Director of Learning Strategies
Kimberly BROOKER Carter’96
Associate Director of Admissions
www.branksome.on.ca/admissions
Nadine Mouftah
Associate Director of Admissions and International Recruitment
Susan Bur ke
Admissions Assistant
Carolina Sabayle
Junior School Assistant
Questions? Contact Susan Burke at 416-920-6265, ext. 268 or
sburke@branksome.on.ca
“IB teaching is based on best practice culled from international experts. Our girls benefit from the program and the IB training that our faculty has experienced, and this will stand them in good stead at university and in life.”
KARRIE WEINSTOCK
Head of the Senior/Middle School and Admissions
The Hughes/Clappison family has deep ties to Branksome that date back to 1934 when young Helen Spencer entered Grade 12. In 1958, Helen’s daughter Lynn donned her kilt, and was followed by her daughters, Sarah and Susie, in 1987 and 1990 respectively. Here, the family enjoys a summer evening get-together. From left: Susie CLAPPISON Blair ’95, Sarah CLAPPISON Claydon’92 (holding her son, Sam), Lynn HUGHES Clappison’65 and Helen SPENCER Hughes’36.
suppor t and accommodate the unique learning needs of each student.
Q: What are the advantages of the IB Program?
A: The IB is an internationally recognized program designed to meet the needs of diverse students. IB teaching is based on best practice culled from international exper ts. Our gir ls benefit from the program and the IB training that our faculty has experienced, and this will stand them in good stead at university and in life.
Q: What do you look for in a student?
A: We look for girls who love learning, who are excited to be engaged in our school community, and who will take advantage of
the many opportunities that Branksome offers in athletics, arts and community ser vice. We hope to enrol girls with diverse interests and talents who will work hard to achieve their academic and co-curricular goals.
Q: Are assessment tests required?
A: We use age-appropriate assessment tools for gir ls in all grades. From Grades 7 to 11, applicants write the SSAT (Secondar y School Admission Test). Information about test dates and locations is available at www.ssat.org.
The inter views with students, however, are the most important part of the process. We look at the whole child to determine whether Branksome Hall is a good fit for her.
Q: Who reviews the applications?
A: A team of Branksome admissions staff carefully review all applications, and the entire application process requires many steps and takes a few months.
Q: Does Branksome offer financial assistance?
A: Yes. A third-par ty organization reviews all applications that are received via a Financial Aid for Canadian Students’ (FACS) form. FACS makes recommendations to our internal Financial Assistance Committee. Successful applicants will receive a maximum of a 50 per cent reduction of tuition fees, and they must re-apply each year. Details of our Scholarships and Financial Aid programs are available on our website, under Admissions.
Q: If my daughter isn’t accepted the first time, may we apply again?
A: Of course.
We look forward to meeting your daughter and to working with your family over the years to ensure that your daughter ’s educational experience is positive at each stage of her school life.
Q: You recently added admissions responsibilities to your portfolio as Head of the Senior and Middle School. Why did you get back into admissions work?
A: Admissions work is an impor tant par t of the continuum of Branksome life. Seeing a gir l walk through the doors on her ver y first visit to Branksome Hall, and then seeing her mature and develop throughout her school years, is a joy!
Having both por tfolios is the ultimate alignment of what we say we’ll do and what we actually do at Branksome: we wish to ensure that the experience we offer here meets the needs and expectations of each gir l who comes to Branksome. I
“You only get in life what you ask for,” Jennifer LEES’96 told a standing-room audience dur ing the June 11 Green Car pet celebration (for faculty, staff and students from Grades 7–11), where she and Fiona LEES’96 were the guests of honour.
Jen was referring, in fact, to some of the ups and downs that the twin sisters have encountered since launching their cosmetics company, Balmshell, in 2006. “One of the biggest obstacles,” she explained, “ was that the name Balmshell was already owned by Revlon. It was a perfect name for our products,” she added. “I decided to take the matter into my own hands and left a message with the Revlon trademark lawyer in New York explaining that we wanted to use the name. Two weeks went by until they called back. I asked politely if Revlon would drop the name.”
Revlon did relinquish the name Balmshell and the sisters quickly trademarked it. Then,
when they tried to register their domain www.
balmshell.com, they learned someone else had
beaten them to it. “Once again, we asked if we could have it and the person obliged,” Jen explained.
After years of dedicated hard work, Jennifer and Fiona have developed what they consider the perfect lip gloss. Balmshell is now an internationally recognized company producing 10 different tints of lip gloss, each with its own funky name and unique packaging design.
The sisters have
watched their cosmetic
creations appear in Oscar and Grammy Awards gift bags as well as being sold in 200 Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques.
The twins have also received countless accolades from magazines and media outlets throughout North America.
“Our time at Branksome helped us draw inspiration for our company,” says Fiona. “Many of the moments that led us to becoming entrepreneurs were created during our high school years. There is no glass ceiling there. From the Prefects to the Heads of Clans, they are all strong, inspiring young women.”
Jen and Fiona have a clear vision for their company, but realize there will al ways be obstacles that they will have to get over and many things they will continue to learn along the way. The sisters agree that, ultimately, their life is about finding joy, peace and passion. They believe that ever yone has the tools to create the life they want to live and the most successful people in this wor ld are the ones who have compassion, respect and dignity. I
Jennifer and Fiona entered Branksome Hall in Grade 6. Both girls actively participated in co-curricular activities and were enthusiastic members of the McLeod Clan. Jennifer was very involved in drama, and acted as the Assistant Director of the student-run production of Annie. Fiona was on the Branksome rowing team and was involved with rowing for many years.
The sisters completed Bachelor of Arts degrees in communication-related fields at the University of Western Ontario. Upon graduation, these self-confessed “lip gloss junkies” followed their passion and entrepreneurial instinct and began their professional journey. Both worked in advertising and media before founding Balmshell Cosmetics.
—Robert Shaw is Communications Coordinator at Branksome Hall
What is unique about Branksome Hall? What are the school’s strengths? How can Branksome leverage its great traditions? These are some of the questions examined in recent months by a team of parents, students, faculty, staff, alumnae and Board members who make up the Strategic Planning Project Committee.
The team members pored over research and tried to pinpoint oppor tunities to improve as it developed a new Strategic Plan and branding initiative for the school. As par t of the process, they also examined Branksome’s mission, vision and a list of key values.
“What str uck me about this process is how much ever yone seems to love the Branksome community, and how people, and especially our daughters, want to be challenged and suppor ted to make a better wor ld,” says Dr. Peter Singer, a Branksome parent, Board member and Co-Chair (with Principal Karen Mur ton) of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.
Sur veys in the spring led to over 500 responses, including 95 from alumnae. Overall, our community noted that friendliness and compassion are among Branksome’s many enduring strengths.
Dr. Singer, who spearheaded the last Strategic Plan a few years ago, when he was Chairman of the Board of Governors, repor ts that the committee forged new mission, vision and values that were presented to the Board of Governors this summer
A mission statement is meant to outline a school’s pur pose, while a vision statement should inspire and energize as it outlines a school’s aspirations. Dr. Singer says the new statements clear ly reflect Branksome’s current reality as well as its long-term goals. I
VISION
To be the pre-eminent educational community of globally minded learners and leaders.
MISSION
Each day, we challenge and inspire girls to love learning and to shape a better world.
VALUES
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
Balanced
Reflective
In a remote region of Pakistan, a village chief tells a visitor, “Here, we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first, you are a stranger ; the second, you become a friend; and the third, you join our family.”
The visitor, Greg Mor tenson, subsequently co-authored a bestseller, Three Cups of Tea, about his effor ts to provide schools for gir ls in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the friendships he forges along the way.
Three Cups of Tea will inspire the Branksome Hall community in the 2009–10 school year, as students, faculty and families commit to reading the award-winning book
“We chose this book for a variety of reasons,” says Principal Karen Mur ton. “It suppor ts our community ser vice theme on education, it is accessible for readers of all ages, and its theme of peace through education suppor ts the International Baccalaureate philosophy.” I
• Borrow baby items and clothing from family and friends or buy used baby items.
• When buying new, tr y to purchase healthy and organic choices (e.g., organic mattress and sheets, and natural r ubber soothers).
• Breastfeed if you can.
• Make your own organic baby food.
• Walk ever ywhere instead of driving — it’s good exercise for you and provides plenty of stimulation for baby. Julia made these efforts because sustainability has been an important part of her family life for many years. “It only seemed natural to raise Lila with our
Fresh from maternity leave, Julia Malcolm, the school’s Sustainability Coordinator, says she applied her enthusiasm for environmentalism to her new role as a mother
“I found including green practices in my parenting to be easier than you might think,” says Julia. “My husband and I tried to live consciously prior to having our daughter, Lila, so this transition was not difficult. It can actually be easier and more affordable to be a green parent, because you are reusing and minimizing as much as possible.”
Here are a few tips she encourages other parents to tr y:
• Use unbleached cloth diapers and wash diapers at home.
• Use facecloths and wash them instead of using chlorine wipes.
value system. I want her to appreciate the beauty of her surroundings, and if we can do anything to minimize our impact on our neighbourhood, community and earth, then we do so,” she says.
One of the challenges involved was the fact that childrearing involves a lot of plastic. “Some plastic toys are useful and educational,” she says. “However, some are unsafe, so we tr y and watch for phthalates and BPA [Bisphenol A] in things. It’s important to be on top of the research to know what is safe and what is not.”
With Julia now back at Branksome, stay tuned to hear more about the school’s sustainability efforts. I
Branksome Hall will harness the power of the sun with 14 new solar panels, set to be installed on the Senior and Middle School Gym roof in November.
The solar panels, installed on the roof facing south, will employ a Web-based energy monitoring program and will be used to teach students about solar power. The topic of renewable energy and how photovoltaics work can be woven into the curriculum at all grade levels, including Senior and Middle School math and science classes. In the Junior School, the role of renewable energy is a part of the “Sharing the Planet” PYP Unit of Inquiry.
Providing a source of renewable energy is one of the goals of Branksome Hall’s new Environmental Sustainability Action Plan. The solar panels serve as a visible statement about the school’s commitment to sustainable living — they will provide some power, too!
The panels are rated at 3kW and will feed into Branksome’s general building electrical system. They will produce approximately 3,600 kW/year. There’s an added financial benefit: the provincial government will pay Branksome about 82 cents per kWh for generating green power. As a long-term goal, Branksome will reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and reduce the school’s carbon footprint. The panels were purchased with funds raised through Plaid Tidings 2008.
BRANKSOME TEACHER DELIVERS ‘GREEN’ BABY
In May, a ver y special couple was honoured with the Branksome Hall Volunteer Award. On their own, Linda Cornish-Goodwin and Jack Goodwin could be individual recipients of this significant recognition and that, in itself, sets this couple apar t.
Volunteering at Branksome since their daughter, Amy GOODWIN’04, began Grade 6, their involvement has escalated over the years. When daughter Mackenzie GOODWIN’09 began her Branksome studies a few years later, the Goodwins’ reasons to get involved doubled.
The impetus for parents to volunteer at their children’s schools can var y. Linda’s and Jack’s motivations are hear tfelt. “The more we endorse what our children are doing and suppor t their experiences, the more it validates them as individuals and reinforces their academic situation,” explains Linda.
Jack says his motivation to get involved goes back to his childhood.
“Back then, the ‘Home and School’ organized all the fun activities. My parents were actively involved and it became their social circle. Ironically, our social life has centred around our daughters as well, especially with the rowing families [Amy rowed from Grade 10 and Mackenzie from Grade 9 until their graduations, and the couple have been integral to the operation of the rowing program]. My daughters’ positive experiences inspired me to help out. It was the natural thing to do.”
Linda and Jack both have a reputation for rolling up their sleeves and getting the job, any job, done. Jack has been described as a diligent and thoughtful communicator, always thinking strategically with the school’s best interests at hear t. He has focused his time on committee work, while Linda has preferred a hands-on involvement and is known for her quiet demeanour
When asked their advice for parents entering Branksome who may feel uncer tain about volunteering, they speak from experience. “For some, it looks formidable,” says Linda. “You ask — Where could I possibly add value? You know that at Branksome Hall there are always contributions to be made.”
Linda suggests that we look at where our own interests and abilities lie. “Star t with little things and involvement will naturally
1997–2009 Numerous one-off and “behind-thescenes” activities, including successive years of participation at the Welcome Back BBQs, Plaid Tidings, field trips and Regattas with jobs ranging from face-painting, baking, selling tickets, Christmas wreaths, the introduction of the legendary peameal bacon sandwich and more
1997–2009 Junior School Library
2002–04 Class Representative
2003 Toronto Invitational Regatta–Food Services
2004, 2007 Parent Rowing Breakfast
2004–06 Annual Giving Volunteer
2007–09 Rowing Team Clothing Coordinator
Jack Goodwin1997–2009 Numerous one-off and “behind the scenes” activities, including flipping burgers and directing traffic
2000–09 Rowing Executive
2003–05 Solicitor, Centennial Project Campaign
2004, 2005, 2007 Gentlemen’s Evening Committee
2005–09 Property Committee
2006–09 Rowing Executive Co-chair
snowball,” she says, “especially if the commitment is there. While not only benefiting your daughter, wonderful friendships can be found along the way. It can be a win-win for all. Just remember that all Branksome parents have a common bond — the desire for an excellent education for their daughter.”
Linda and Jack have done it all at Branksome: face painting, flipping burgers, fundraising, climbing the librar y stacks (Linda spent 12 years volunteering in the Junior School Librar y), committee meetings…the list goes on. For Jack, the most unusual task was valet parking: “For several years, it was the rowing fathers who helped with parking on the Friday Opening Night of Plaid Tidings. This meant directing cars to available parking spots, not driving them. One year, a Porsche comes tearing into the front of the school. The driver hops out, throws me his keys and says ‘I will be back in 20.’ I was speechless — What could I possibly do with that car in 20 minutes?”
With both daughters now graduated, we will be seeing less of Linda and Jack on campus, and their presence will be greatly missed. Thank you Linda and Jack — Branksome Hall is hugely appreciative of the unparalleled commitments that you, both individually and as a couple, have given us over the past 12 years. I
— Brigitte KOPAS’88 Associate Director – Stewardship and Donor Relations Chair, Volunteer Award Selection CommitteeThis award is presented annually in honour and recognition of extraordinar y ser vice and dedication to the school.
Above all, Josie loved her students. Her kindness to each gir l made a huge difference in the lives of generations of students. You only needed to see Josie at the alumnae reunion dinner, swarmed by former students who knew that Mrs. Kizoff cared how they had fared in the wor ld. They were grateful for all the suppor t and love she had shown them and, in return, Branksome families loved and cared for Josie too.
Josie is the proud mother of Kristen KIZOFF’96 who is a practicing lawyer in Toronto.
On the occasion of their retirement from Branksome Hall, and to celebrate decades of dedicated ser vice, Josie Kizoff, Heather Pratt and Ruth Ann Penny were honoured at the June 9 year-end dinner of the Alumnae Association Executive and Honorar y Executive.
The READ proudly pays tribute to departing employees with a minimum of 20 year s’ service to Branksome or those employees who have worked closely with alumnae.
Josie Kizoff
1973–2009 teacher, guidance counselor
In her 36 years at Branksome Hall, Josie has had many roles — Physical Education Teacher and Head of Depar tment, Guidance Counselor and Head of Depar tment, Career Studies Teacher and Head of Career Studies Course, and Trevlac Queen (her tagline being “it’s only a click away”).
Josie is skilled, competent, efficient and innovative. If you wanted a job well done, you gave it to Josie. She came to school ear ly ever y day and gave her job her utmost — she is the consummate professional. Josie is a tr ue team player. As she herself says with a smile, she has moved offices more than any other person at the school. She considers herself a master packer, and we thank her for her flexibility and good humour
Josie, it is with respect and affection that we say goodbye to you. Thank you for all you contributed to the life of Branksome Hall. Now, the life that awaits you is filled with the promise of many good things to come. Here’s to your good health and future happiness!
— Karrie Weinstock Head of Senior /Middle SchoolHeather Pratt 1989–2009 art teacher; head of the art department; admissions coordinator Heather is full of life; she sparkles, and she energizes those around her. She is always optimistic, ready to meet the day, ready for adventure, open to beauty, easy to be with and ready to laugh. And she is a tr ue, loyal and patient friend.
Heather came to us in 1989 as an ar t teacher from the Peel Board, ready for a new challenge. She joined an already vibrant ar t depar tment, and brought a love of ar t histor y and studio work with her. Over the years that she taught and led that depar tment, students were exposed not only to the rigours of studio work, but to the intellectual disciplines of ar t histor y and reflection through journaling and discussion. Heather set up ar t shows in the local community, took the students on trips to Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh and, together with Judith Phelan for five years inthe late ’90s, operated a summer ar t program for OAC students in Sienna, Italy.
As Admissions Coordinator, Heather was a natural at meeting and welcoming people and a master at making any young gir l feel at ease. She learned about the whole school in order to explain and promote it knowledgeably. Being a parent of Megan’03, she brought an invaluable perspective to her role.
Heather will retreat to the home that she and Mike designed and built near Osler, where she will paint, cook, ski, and design and sell her exquisite jewelr y. Her home is a place that makes her tr uly happy, and we can only say that she deser ves to be.
— Ruth Ann Penny Director of Admissions1990–2009 head of junior school;
directorof admissions
For many years, the Branksome community has enjoyed the presence of Ruth Ann Penny. Quite simply, our Director of Admissions and former Head of the Junior School loves this school, and it shows in all that she does.
Ruth Ann’s career began in 1975, as an elementar y school teacher in Parr y Sound. She later became a vice-principal and consultant with the Halton Board of Education. Ruth Ann has taught in r ural Ontario, in Toronto, in public schools, private schools, French immersion schools, co-ed and single-sex schools.
She arrived at Branksome as Head of the Junior School in 1990 and was a key player in building the Junior School, almost doubling it in size. Since 2001, she has led the Admissions team, advancing the reputation of the school locally and internationally, and maintaining and exceeding our enrolment targets for several years r unning. Ruth Ann has always delighted in welcoming new families to Branksome, taking pride in seeing the gir ls as they stretch themselves and develop into compassionate, confident young women.
Ruth Ann’s commitment to education is far reaching. She sits on the Governing Council of the Ontario College of Teachers [now as Vice-Chair], and has written and presented
nationally and internationally on issues related to communications, marketing and internationalism in education. She is intelligent and ar ticulate, and has a curious mind. She has a passion for singing, reading, writing, traveling to remote areas and the solitude of the great outdoors.
Ruth Ann is also the mother of two Branksome graduates, Rachel PENNY’07 and Fiona
PENNY’09 (Head Gir l), who, in a bittersweet moment during final assembly, presented her mom with flowers and a big hug — there wasn’t a dr y eye in the house.
Ruth Ann, I shall miss many things about you — your wit, your elegance and, of course, your love of Branksome. I wish you all the best in the adventures that lie ahead.
— Karen Murton, Principal
Anne Tesseyman Retires 2001–2009 advancement services assistantAnne Tesseyman was the mainstay of Branksome’s Advancement Office — the friendly voice of ext. 212 and the first person our alumnae, parents and visitors would see upon entering Sherborne House. In August, Anne retired after eight years at the school.
Anne’s background in Ear ly Childhood Education, voluntarism with Gir l Guides of Canada, and experience with database work at the MS Society in Toronto prepared her well for her role in our friendraising/fundraising office. Anne went beyond any written job description and on any given day would juggle many different projects. She embraced her position as our database gur u with calm assuredness, a positive outlook and a wicked sense of humour.
Anne is a tr ustwor thy and fun-loving colleague and a good friend. There are so many of us who will miss her camaraderie and straight answers. But she is on a new mission now — to establish herself and husband Phil in their new home in London, Ontario, close to their children and grandchildren.
—Tanya Pimenoff Associate Director of Alumnae Relations Editor, The READMY GRADE 13 YEAR AT BRANKSOME was filled with co-curricular activities — from the swim team to choir and drama, to name a few — all requiring ear ly morning and late afternoon commitments. Nestled between all of this was my volunteer work at a veterinar y clinic. It was a year that taught me how hard work and enthusiastic par ticipation were valued. It prepared me well for the road ahead.
In 1979, I earned my D.V.M. from the University of Guelph, followed by an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in 1988 and 1992. Although my career as a veterinarian in
private practice — working with ever y animal imaginable — had been all I ever dreamed of, my return to university enabled me to combine my love of teaching with my passion for veterinar y medicine.
Over the years, the focus of my work turned to the study of swine health management and, in 2006, I began a research project aimed at empowering pover ty-stricken women raising pigs in Western Kenya. I developed a system for them to estimate the weight of their market pigs and taught workshops on pig management. These increased the pig price, providing more money for essentials such as medicine, school fees, clothing and food.
When visiting farms for my research, I was str uck by the number of children, usually 8 to 14, who were living in each home. Many were not attending school because there was no money for uniforms or pencils, and many were AIDS or phans. I knew these children needed an education if they were to lead their community into a brighter future, and I wanted to help. When told by the village’s school council that the 150 or phans attending school were hungr y and, without food, could not learn, I felt deflated. The lunch program alone would cost 10 times that of the uniform program. But the children stood before me
My research on swine influenza was useful during the H1N1 influenza pandemic. I described for national media why pork is safe and that pigs were not involved in this outbreak. This information can be resourced at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92DEyRK2D_A
Cate, Janet, Anne, Martha, Ann, Lesley — you each make such a difference to the lives you touch through your life choices.
Thank you for contributing such inspirational stories — you truly do “Keep Well the Road.”
with ragged clothes falling off their thin bodies and with an attitude of hopelessness. If I did not take on this challenge, no one would.
In 2007, with no fundraising experience, I founded the Children of Bukati charity — r un entirely by volunteers — to feed, educate and suppor t over 700 or phans. We have purchased livestock and land, so the community will suppor t the or phans by 2013. In addition, by mentoring a Kenyan Ph.D. student, I am providing her with the skills she needs to help her own people. With renewed hope, these children now eat nutritiously several times a week. On many days, however, this is still their only meal.
Indeed, my passion for the Children of Bukati consumes my spare time, and I speak about our work wherever I go — to community and church groups, school and university students. How fortunate I am to enjoy a phenomenally successful career as a veterinarian, balanced with family — husband Randy and three grown sons — and rewarding charity work I
Cate and Randy live in Rockwood, ON. Cate is a Professor of Epidemiology and Swine Health and Chair of the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has received the President’s Distinguished Professor Award, Pfizer Faculty Award for Research and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Science and Research. Cate enjoys gardening, walking her dogs, reading and canoeing in Algonquin.
www.childrenofbukati.com
Janet RICHARDSON Boughne r ’88I NEVER I MAG I NED MYSELF RUNN I NG a home daycare. Even though I have al ways loved kids and babysitting, I graduated from
Branksome, and then university, without a direction that I was passionate about. But before long, I looked into Ear ly Childhood Education
programs, and discovered a field I knew I belonged in, and one in which I could make a difference.
My first job was with the YMCA. I worked on developing children’s social and developmental growth — work that involved their families as well. To have an influence on the development and creation of a growing personality is a satisfying and rewarding position to be in. Not only could I nur ture, educate and suppor t the child, but I could suppor t and educate the parents as well.
During those ten years at the YMCA, I married and had my own children. Although I wanted to be with them, I also wanted to continue to develop myself and my career. With family and lifelong friends providing a strong positive influence, I decided to pursue self-employment. I would provide a warm home away from home for several little ones, while looking after my children, Tiffany and Scott (ages 1 and 2 at the time).
I have now r un my home daycare in Nor th Toronto for five years. It is a career that requires love, patience, a sense of humour, common sense and self-confidence. The environment is a loving one and includes activities designed to develop bright, well-mannered children.
And, as for the moms and dads, they receive the familial suppor t that goes with raising a
happy family. Many of my clients are referrals from teachers at local private schools, and friends, including those who attended Branksome with me.
I will never forget my own childhood and the learning environments that I was given, and I thank my lucky stars for my Branksome years, where I grew into the person that I am today. I received a great education and met friends who continue to suppor t me personally and professionally. I love my job. Ever y day is different; ever y child is his or her own unique person. I
Janet lives in North Toronto with her husband Michael and their children, Tiffany, 6, and Scott, 7. Janet has a B.A. from Queen’s University and an Early Childhood Education Diploma from the Canadian Mothercraft Society in Toronto. She can be seen driving a minivan full of kids, or walking daily with her triple or quad stroller surrounded by kids and with a big smile on her face.
teaching this next generation of family doctors how to incor porate delivering babies into their careers.
On a national level, as Chair of the Maternity and Newborn Care Committee for the College of Family Physicians of Canada, I am also involved in policy work and research. Through a recent pilot project designed to teach learners from different professions — medicine, midwifer y and nursing — I am encouraged to watch these young students break down the traditional silos that had separated these professionals in the past.
My newest chapter in maternity care includes international teaching, through a program of the Society of O bstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. It has been rewarding to instr uct doctors, midwives, nurses and community health workers in Guyana, and I am hoping to do more of this work in Kenya in 2010.
I LOVE DEL I VER I NG BAB I ES! EVEN AFTER 30 YEARS, I find that ever y bir th touches me to my soul, and it is a privilege to be present at such an impor tant moment in a family’s life. There is something ver y special about caring for a woman, often for years before her pregnancy, and then providing prenatal care, attending the bir th, and following her and her baby from that moment on.
Unfor tunately, family doctors who deliver babies are a dying breed, as it is inconvenient to get up at all hours and the possibility of litigation discourages many. In my role as Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Toronto, I instr uct and mentor a new group of residents each year,
I am exhilarated to see the cycle of life unfold before me. Now I am at the stage where I am delivering babies of “ babies” who entered the wor ld during the ear ly days of my career! I
When not in her “white coat,” Anne is passionate about the great outdoors — canoeing in provincial parks, skiing down powder-covered mountains, traveling in foreign countries and, of course, attending classical musical performances. Undoubtedly, her one passion that tops delivering babies, and will never stop, is being mom to her two girls, Claire’04 and Sarah’06.
THE OTHER PASSION OF DR. ANNE An avid pianist from age six, Anne discovered the joys of choral singing in Grade 9 at Branksome. She stayed sane throughout the heavy demands of medical school at Queen’
A QUEST I ON I AM OFTEN ASKED I S: “How did a gir l from Toronto end up living in the Yukon with 65 sled dogs and a fleet of canoes?” One answer, at least as far as the sled dogs go, is that eight years ago I married Rod Taylor. He and the dogs were a package deal. The other answer is that, after graduating from university and traveling in New Zealand, I decided to pursue my love of the outdoors and turn it into my professional life.
I learned to canoe as a child, thanks to my father’s passion for skimming along the water in a cedar and canvas canoe. The canoe featured prominently in my summers as a camper, camp counselor and eventually canoe tripper. Throughout high school and university, I kept going back to the summer job I loved best — leading canoe trips throughout Ontario. Algonquin, Killarney, the wilderness of Quetico, and countless rivers are all permanently etched in my mind.
During my travels in New Zealand in the ear ly 1990s it dawned on me that I could turn my passion into a career. While at Branksome I learned that anything is possible. My classmates and I graduated
with the knowledge that we were capable of tackling whatever life presented and that we should and could reach for the stars. Upon deciding to enter the wor ld of adventure travel (and not med school as previously planned), I went full steam ahead.
I picked the Yukon as my next tripping destination. I was hired by a local outfitter and spent my first summer guiding on the Nahanni River in the Nor thwest Territories. To fur ther immerse myself in the industr y, I enrolled in the Outdoor Recreation Management Program at Capilano College. I studied during the school year and guided on the Nor thwest Territories and Yukon rivers in the summer
Upon completion of the program in
1996, I made a permanent move to Whitehorse to work year-round for Nahanni River Adventures (NRA). What is one to do in the winter in the Yukon but dogsled? For tunately for me, the owner of NRA was a good friend of Rod’s and I received an invitation to go dog sledding. One turn on the r unners and I was hooked. The manic excitement of the dogs just moments before the snow hook is pulled is contagious — then, there is silence, except for their breathing and the whoosh of the r unners on the snow. It didn’t take long for Rod and me to star t planning our lives and Uncommon Journeys together. The dogs are now an intimate par t of my life, with nine as pets and 56 working dogs. Now that family life is par t of the mix, Rod and I divide our guiding time by season. Rod guides the winter dog sledding trips, while I find myself in the back of a canoe somewhere in the Yukon or NWT in the summer. As the hum of the twin otter float plane engines die away and I am standing on the shore of a nor thern river with a new group of guests eager to begin their new adventure, I can’t stop the spread of an enormous smile, for I am extremely for tunate to live a career I tr uly love. I
Martha and Rod live outside of Whitehorse with their daughter Hayley and 65 Alaskan Huskies. Martha received her B.A. (Hons) from the University of Western Ontario in 1992. She and Rod co-own Uncommon Journeys Ltd. (www.uncommonyukon.com)
Ann ROHMER’74
ON A HUM I D FR I DAY AFTERNOON I N late July, when most people have slipped out of tow n ea rly, Ann ROHMER’74 is leading the Live At 5 ne w scast on CP24 in Toronto. Wea r ing a tanger ine t-shi r t and da rk pants, she sits at a small table w ith the fa mous 299 Queen St reet West bac k d rop behind her
“My work day began at 4:30 a.m.,” she says, “ w ith CP24 Brea k fast.” One could never tell by look ing at her that she regula rly k eeps these hou r s. Her la rge g reen eyes, fl awless complexion and signatu re blonde hai r seem a natu ral fit for television — Ann has a pleasant, inviting w ay about her and a confident voice.
On this after noon, as w ith other s this su mmer, Ann has been repor ting on an ongoing labou r dispute. Living in Toronto, she says, she is just as much affected by the stor ies she is repor ting on as the vie wer s.
Then, as she cal m ly captains the ne w s prog ra m f rom weather to spor ts to a quic k tal k about Holly wood gossip w ith the enter tain ment repor ter, the show is cut to br ing a brea k ing ne w s conference rega rding the labou r dispute. Ann k eeps her eyes on the sc reen, ta k es notes and
discusses possible outcomes w ith the producer. When it ends, she is bac k in f ront of the ca mera recapping it. Ever ything moves quic k ly here and Ann alw ays seems one step ahead.
Ann is passionate about her ca reer in jou r nalism, and one doesn’t have to spend long w ith her to fi gu re out that she’s not just another “tal k ing head.” She feels a connection and comm it ment to the vie wer — “you can’t hide behind the ca mera,” she says du r ing a commercial brea k .
Her love for her job is show n th rough 30 yea r s in the business and no sign of ending. It’s a love for her work that shines du r ing show s such as her Tuesday afternoon call-in show, Animal House Calls, or when Ann is discussing how inspi red she w as by her Grade 11 English teacher at Bran k some Hall, D r. Lesley Shore
(formerly Miss Zi mmerman).
“I went k ic k ing and sc rea m ing,” Ann says about attending Bran k some Hall, “ but it w as the best yea r s I could have spent. It felt safe, nu r tu r ing and inspi r ing.” She goes on to explain that she w as really luc k y because her pa rents did what so many pa rents do, being that they sc raped together ever y nic k el they had to send her there. “They w anted the best for me. I k now and appreciate that, and I w as able to lea r n the best academ ic and life sk ills.”
Ann left after only th ree yea r s but says she owes a lot of her g reat high school memor ies to Bran k some as well as Lesley Shore. “Lesley w as the type of per son who allowed you to realize that you could be you r self, ca re about the things you love and still inspi re people,” she says. “I remember she had this k iller attitude. She d rove a
spor ts ca r, wore boots and had long da rk hai r. She w as different f rom anyone I had seen at a gi rls’ pr ivate school before. Lesley w as forw a rd thin k ing — she tal k ed to you, not dow n to you.”
Lesley remember s Ann as someone w ith a lot of energy who needed to be di rected along a positive path. “Young women li k e Ann had a fier y spi r it in a ver y t raditional envi ron ment,” Lesley says. “She w as seen as rebellious. I remember the fi r st day Ann
w as sitting at the bac k chatting and I ask ed her to move up f ront. She never gave me another problem.”
To her c redit, Ann w as the fi r st Canadian female spor ts repor ter allowed to inter vie w athletes in thei r changing rooms. She has made a lasting i mpression in Canadian ne w s, showcasing her talents at Global, CBC, City-TV and now CTV.
“Leslie showed me that you could be fem inine and moder n and still get the job
The early 1970s was an exciting time for Lesley Zimmerman who, at the young age of 23, arrived at Branksome Hall from Winnipeg to teach English and French. She had just graduated from teacher s’ college, and now found her self at Branksome, living on campus, in Sherborne House, and sharing a dorm floor with some of her students.
“I tried to pioneer new approaches to teaching English.”
Lesley remember s. “I had the girls rearrange their desks so that there was a less conventional student-teacher relationship I encouraged them to speak out about their thoughts and impressions regarding the cour se material.”
Clearly, her style appealed to the students, but was especially appreciated by one in particular — future television journalist, Ann ROHMER’74. Interestingly, it was from Ann’s father, Major-General (ret’d) Richard Rohmer, that Lesley learned an invaluable teaching tactic.
“It was during a parent-teacher interview,” Lesley remember s. “Ann’s parents weren’t there to pay their dues. They came because they truly cared about Ann’s education MajorGeneral Rohmer said he wanted me to teach his daughter just one thing and that was how to write a sentence. If she could learn to write a sentence, then she could write a paragraph, and with a couple of paragraphs she could write an essay and after she could write an essay, she could do anything.”
“It was something so simple,” she says, “and yet the theory was one that I would pass on to students as young as Grade 4 throughout my teaching career.”
In 1973, Lesley left Branksome to raise her family. She continued to feed her passion for education and received
done,” Ann adds. “You could just be you r self.”
Bac k in the ne w sroom, Ann has moved f rom the 5 o’cloc k ne w s to the show Hot Property, a week ly discussion w ith Toronto real estate agents. “Ann’s the best in the business,” one of the guests for the show says before going on set. “She ma k es you feel com for table and secu re. Those a re i mpor tant things when you’re going to be on TV.” I
her Ph.D. from the Univer sity of Toronto (OISE) in 1999. She worked as an assistant professor at OISE and has published numerous articles, including her thesis entitled Girls’ Reading Culture, a body of work partially inspired while teaching at Branksome.
With so many fond memories of the institution that launched her career, Miss Zimmerman, now Dr Lesley Shore, returned to Branksome in the early 2000s, this time wearing her parent hat Both her daughter s attended the school, and the youngest, Alysha, graduated in 2005.
A few months ago, Lesley and Ann met again on the familiar turf of Branksome Hall — both older, both wiser, both happy in their life work, and both grateful for the significant impact each had on the other I
— Robert ShawE ac h day, our stud ent s dream big, wo rk hard and a c hieve g r e at thin gs.
Every year, our alumnae make ex traordinary contributions to our ever-c han gin g world.
Your gift to the 2009 – 10 ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN will help current and future Branksome students continue to make a difference on the world stage.
H e lp u s Kee p We ll th e R o ad
Your Annual Giving package was recently mailed
Please return your donation card by mail or visit www branksome.on.ca/donate
In this section of The READ, you will read about friendships, accomplishments, milestones, daily routines and celebrated events of alumnae from every decade. We hope you will delight in the special stories submitted about passion, skill and talent. Branksome Hall truly is a remarkable community of women.
Brigid HAYDON Wells (Lewes, England) spent time on the Isle of Wight during the summer. Earlier in the year, she was in Guyana researching further information about Theophilus Richmond, one of her ancestors. She has written an article about him for History Today (October 2009 issue) and had to trek up to London in August to be photographed — quite the trip from the Isle of Wight.
Patricia STEWART McCarthy attended the reunion events on Sunday, May 24 and wrote: I
thoroughly enjoyed the program introducing Spirit Sunday, the luncheon, and the gathering of familiar faces, as well as the generally warm and relaxed ambiance. I found the contribution of Rebecca SAXE’s mother especially interesting — what an experience that must have been for Rebecca and for the school! Young Clare Moffat did a virtuoso job on piano. I thought, hearing the playing but not knowing the source, that you must have been using a record! But, true to form, Branksome had come up with a homegrown artist of top quality, considering her age. I was a little disappointed that the school song, Up and
On, had not been transposed a few keys down — I get around such problems by inventing an alto part, but that’s cheating. I was delighted to be there.
In April, our popular and talented classmate, Sheila “Love” CRAIG Waengler celebrated her 60th birthday with many of her friends from real estate, theatre and business. Judy “Love” GODFREY Simmonds, Charlotte KEENS Graham and I shared a fun corner with Branksome’s wonderful former principal, Allison ROACH’51. Needless to say, we all had a ball.
On August 23, Mary CROUCH Denton and husband, John, celebrated their 60th anniversary with a sit-down luncheon for some 50 friends and family at the Granite Club. Mary and John have three sons who helped make this a joyous occasion.
— Tony ECHLIN BuckleFor over 50 years, we have lived in Englehart, a small town in northeastern Ontario. The north has offered us great opportunities to develop skills and talents. For many years, I was the Librarian/CEO of the Englehart Public Library,
During my early days at Branksome, schoolwork and my goal of becoming a ballerina seemed worlds apart. Worse, if kept in for detention on a Saturday morning, I had to miss a precious ballet class — true punishment indeed! There was no professional ballet company in Toronto when I graduated, so I went to New York and joined Ballet Theatre at the Met. I danced four years with that company, then another year in Paris. After graduating from Columbia University, I drifted into teaching at a private elementary school. There I found my second passion, teaching, which was every bit as creative and engrossing as the world of ballet and opera — a true joy (and easier to balance with children and a home life). I had come full circle.
— Gloria LYONS Frey’47 Dobbs Ferry, NY
responsible to the library board to provide the best in public library service to our town and surrounding communities. I still feel that passion for the importance of public library work when I visit our beautiful library today.
Our old library was in rental quarters and in poor shape. In 1985, I dedicated my heart and soul to creating a new, municipally owned public library building to better serve our community needs. The new Englehart Public Library
opened in 1993. The creation of this library was a community project, with every group contributing to raise money. We now have an architecturally designed, 4,000 square-foot building full of good library items, equipment and programs for every age. Our library became the fi rst northeastern public library to receive Ontario library accreditation.
Looking back to Branksome days, I believe Miss Read’s philosophy — the importance of dedication to a worthy cause
— was a guiding light for me. It took life in Englehart to fully appreciate and understand my Branksome education and Miss Read’s teachings.
— Joan LANGLOIS King Englehart, ONIt was a grand reunion and we had the largest turnout ever, so congrats to all of you who attended. We had a wonderful time catching up with news and happenings!
Here is the news from the weekend attendees:
Jo AYERS has been trying to retire from the O.R. at Sick Kids but hasn’t been allowed to as yet. She scuba dives, does Third World medical work and enjoys building things at the family cottage — in-between grandmother gigs.
Wendy COOK worked in the recycling and waste disposal business for 30 years. She also
taught yoga. Wendy has a son and lives in Toronto.
Pat COOPER Commins retired after 33 years teaching at North Toronto. She recently moved to peaceful Cobourg, and lives in a house built in 1891. She keeps busy volunteering and fundraising.
Lillias de LOM lives in Barrie and has her own business. She has been married twice and has four children.
Susan ELLIOTT McKay has lived in South Carolina for the past eight years, having previously lived in Michigan and Brazil. She was married to her late husband for 43 years and has three children and four grandchildren.
Penny HALET Sopinka lives in the country and has a dog. She volunteers at a nursing home, works at an antique shop, does a lot of child sitting and enjoys traveling to Eastern Europe.
Jane HANSON McConnell is retired from nursing, is active in church and choir, and runs “Food for Thought,” a breakfast program at a local school. She also works part time for her husband and has a 16-year-old granddaughter living with them for a few months.
Heather HASTINGS Bain and Bill, her late husband of 44 years, had two girls and a boy. Heather has four grandchildren. She had a gift shop in Kleinberg for many years but sold it and is now retired. Heather lives in Kleinberg, plays golf and winters in Florida.
Susan KERNOHAN Scace and husband Arthur met 50 years ago this year. They have two married children and three grandsons — 10, 9 and 8. They enjoy traveling, sitting on volunteer boards and participating in various community activities.
Meredith KOSITS Ray has settled in Pennsylvania. She is retired and loves to travel. She has three daughters also in Pennsylvania, and six grandchildren, with twins expected. She was happy that reunion brought her back to Toronto for the first time in 50 years!
Kady MacDONALD Denton now lives in Peterborough after 30 years in Manitoba. She has been married 43 years and has two children.
Nena Jean MacIVER Trimble lives in Cranbrook, BC. She has been married to Warren for 40 years. They have eight grandchildren: four in Cranbrook and four in Phoenix.
Sally MAGEE Moore has been married to Bill for 41 years and has six grandchildren. They live in Toronto.
Janet MARSHALL Mason retired as a teaching assistant at Whitney Public School. She has a daughter,
Heather, and a granddaughter, Trinity. Janet sings in the choir at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church and is the archivist there. She writes poetry and has had some put to music. She enjoys caddying for her husband.
Gail McALPINE Virgin retired as an executive assistant. She and her husband James love to
cruise and travel south. They have three children and six grandchildren.
George-Anne McCAHILL Cherrie owns Anne’s-Tiques in Niagara, where she lives. She has five sons and eight grandchildren.
Sharon METCALFE has worked as a travel consultant and a social
worker, and owned a school of flamenco dance for 10 years. She is now raising her two grandsons and is busy with church activities. She also loves cruises and travel.
Ingrid MEENEN Varnell lives in Pasadena, CA. She taught Spanish and German for 40 years in both middle and high school. She is married to Larry,
Back row: Mary Louise EDMONDS Clements, Jane CANTLEY Gibson (Ancaster, ON), Marg Ann ROBERTSON Van Wyck (Hamilton, ON), Barbara HEISE Morley (Alton, ON), Molly DORAN Pelton, Margaret Ann CHISHOLM Kennedy, Ginger CROSSIN Tafel, Beverly LYNCH Hall, Joan TURNBULL Hamilton and Meriam MOELLER Matz (Cambridge, ON). Front row: Peggy MacKENZIE Thompson (Kelowna, BC), Diana JOHNSON, Shirley BATES Robinson (Tampa, Florida), Ann LOWNDES McVittie, Alison ZIMMERMAN Taylor and Margaret RITCHIE Phelan.
Lavina LICKLEY, Anne SHIER Caskey, Diane MORICE Avery (Markham, ON), Marilyn EARL Durant, Susan MITCHELL Kilpatrick (Kingston, ON), Claire HARRISON Boyes (Stouffville, ON), Eleanor KRAFT Erikson (Denver, CO), Linda MUMFORD Pattinson and Ruth-Ann MELLISH Harris (Jamaica Plain, MA).
Elizabeth McKAY Hill, Martha ROBINSON Butterfield, Betty RUSSELL Chambers, Caroline STANLEY-PORTER Soles and Anne WRIGHT.
News from those who were unable to attend:
Nelly ALVAREZ Lorenzo’s daughter Ana was expecting her second baby, and Nelly was needed to look after her threeyear-old grandchild. She still lives in Caracas, Venezuela.
Mary K. HORTON Schell was unable to attend due to illness, but sent her best wishes to everyone.
a retired U.S. scientist with the Jet Propulsion Lab. They have two children.
Carol PARKER Shaw is retired from health care administration. She has two married children and a grandson. Carol volunteers teaching basic literacy to adults and is also a docent-in-training at the Gardiner Ceramics Museum. Carol is back in Toronto after 15 years in Cobourg and enjoys tending her garden.
Joyce RAHAM Near has been married to Ron for 46 years. They have a daughter and a son. Joyce volunteered for many years with the Cancer Society. She is a marathon walker, works part time, camps, gardens, travels and enjoys her cottage by the lake.
Susan REID Marley has been married for 45 years. She has three children and eight grandchildren.
Joanne STOREY O’Heany lives in California and chairs an American Cancer Society Information Centre located at a hospital — the wig bank there provides cancer patients with a free wig (over 300 so far). Joanne has five grandchildren.
Lynn WILLIAMS Ross is involved with SkyWorks Charitable
Foundation, and the Jane Finch Community Centre. She has five grandchildren, most in the U.K. and Dubai (i.e., lots of traveling).
Lonnie WILSON Elliott had a brief career as a dietician, then stayed home to raise three children. She worked for 22 years as a parish (church) administrator, but is now retired and works part time
as Pastoral Care Coordinator. Lonnie married her roommate’s brother, Bob. They have seven grandchildren, and love to travel and spend time in Muskoka.
Also attended: Pat ARNOLD McBirnie, Sue COXETER Thomas, Jennifer GREY Snell, Nadine GRIFFITHS Bell, Mary JULL Samson, Bonnie KREUTZER Bean,
Wendy JACOBSEN Earwaker lives in Barrie and spends time as a girls’ figuring skating judge around Northern Ontario. She sent her best to everyone.
Brenda MacINTYRE Palmer sent best wishes from her home in Australia.
Darryl MURRAY Northey lives in Haliburton with husband Gael.
I have loved writing stories and poems since I was 10. At Branksome, it was Miss Livingston who nurtured this bubbling passion. Never without pen and paper, a travel journal or a computer, the thoughts tumble and swirl daily in my head.
For two hours each morning, I write my “Slice of Life” vignettes. My granddaughter Erin is a big fan as I share with her our ancestors’ stories. She has learned about one great-great-great-grandfather, enhanced all the more with a visit to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery to search for family grave sites. She learned how another great-great-great-grandfather drowned in a mysterious hunting accident on Halloween
in 1923. And, of course, I have an abundance of stories about her mom as a child. Including pictures, I have 177 albums complete with stories that spring to life for the reader.
I have started a writing group, one of many interests in the Oshawa Probus Club, and we held our inaugural meeting in June. I felt energized, motivated, and hopeful for the future of this writing group, and was pleased to be validated as the ongoing facilitator.
— Donna BULL George’60 Whitby, ONreunion 2009
The greatest attendance of a 50th Reunion class in the history of the school was celebrated by 1959 with 37 in attendance. Ladies… what a party!
Thank you to those listed below for contributing to the success of this important school project! For the full story, please see page 13.
Patricia ARNOLD McBirnie, Wendy COOK, Patricia COOPER Commins, Susan COXETER Thomas, Jennifer GREY Snell, Nadine GRIFFITHS Bell, Penny HALET Sopinka, Mary JULL Samson, Susan KERNOHAN Scace, Barbara KREUTZER Bean, Kady MACDONALD Denton, Sally MAGEE Moore, Jane McCONNELL Hanson, Elizabeth McKAY Hill, Ingrid MEENEN Varnell, Sharon METCALFE, Carol PARKER Shaw, Marilyn PARR McGuigan, Susan REID Marley, Martha ROBINSON Butterfield, Betty RUSSELL Chambers, Sallie SHANNON Kedwell, Nora STEARNS, Lynn WILLIAMS Ross, Launi WILSON Elliott, Patricia WILSON Younger, Anne WRIGHT, Carolyn WRIGHT Koster.
They have two daughters, one son and three grandchildren. She hated to miss the reunion but came down with a bronchial flu.
Pat NEALE Currie lives in Texas with husband Iain. They have two sons, are retired, and love to travel. Pat hated to miss reunion but will hopefully travel north in the fall.
Jane ROBERTSON Gaoua (Bizerte, Tunisia) was sorry to miss the reunion. Here are excerpts from her message to us: When I left Canada in 1961 to visit my grandmother, I never dreamed that I wouldn’t be coming back, as my parents decided to return to live in the U.K. Suddenly, I had no home to return to. I went from the sorrow of losing everyone and everything that had been dear to me, to anger at my parents who I did not see again for several years. I went to Europe, met my husband, found a job as an airline hostess, and came to work in Tunisia. We were married here in 1966. We have four children and seven grandchildren who keep me busy on weekends and school holidays.
I enjoy life in this small town on the Mediterranean coast. It is a port for fishing boats, cargo boats, private yachts and Mediterranean cruise ships. I have a beautiful view of the sea from my house with the beach just minutes away. My son Karim is an engineer in petrol and gas exploration, Souraya is a language teacher and transla-
tor, and my youngest, Nadia, is a sports psychologist in Doha, Qatar. Sadly, my eldest daughter, Jalila, suffers from schizophrenia and depression and, for this reason, I very rarely leave her, which is why traveling to our reunion is impossible. I keep up with Ingrid MEENEN Varnell and Mary JULL Samson. I would have loved to see old friends again and visit Branksome and Toronto.
Davida VALENTINE Hunter and John have been married for 48 years and are still going strong! Their son Craig has three children. They enjoy living in Muskoka year-round, visiting family in BC and Scotland, and wintering part time in Florida. Davida was disappointed to miss the reunion due to a previous engagement.
I hope you all enjoyed the news, and look forward to the next reunion in 2014!
— Carolyn WRIGHT Koster Reunion RepNext year is our 50th! No, not us! Whether you attended for 13 years, five years or one year, left then came back, or did not graduate; whether you were so glad to be out and vowed never to return; or whether you boarded and formed a special circle of friends, please come back for our 50th! Stay tuned for more information.
— Donna BULL George, Reunion RepIs this really the 45th year?
Our Branksome days were long ago, But those days still seem so near.
Form 1, Miss Jephcott, Miss Craig for Latin, Miss Boyes, math teacher and object of fear. Miss Baker and Miss Edmison teaching science, The inter-class competition; And life lessons that taught self-reliance.
Form 2, the fi rst year that 4th Form didn’t win the class cup We amassed those points To strive on and up.
Form 3, the Board of Education required Junior Matric. Physics and Ancient History were the subjects that year. Despite nerves, passing was not much of a trick. If you got hiccups in Miss Claxton’s Physics class, She made you take her cure. You had to plug your ears, While drinking a glass of water pure.
Form 4, we started to specialize In those subjects for our fi nal year.
Form 5 — Miss Philipps
Who taught Trig, never had her memory clear. For names of students in her class, She would point and say “You, there!” And who would answer, alas?
Our Senior Matric French dictée was so easy It made us laugh and made us lose our cool Miss Sime scolded and reminded us that Serious attention was the rule.
As 1964 marched toward June, we realized That our time at Branksome was nearly done. Graduation — led by a lone piper, all of us in white. Our last garden party as Branksome students — Off to make our futures bright!
What did we learn?
It can probably be summarized thus:
“Believe in your self;
“Be a good friend;
“Be responsible;
“Work together;
“Have respect;
“Help others;
“Be truthful;
“Play fair;
“Be kind;
“Share.”
Those and other lessons Branksome taught. The fruits of success to all they’ve brought.
by Nadine LEVINVANDERPLOEG Smith, Sue PARKS
Cowan, Wendy JENKINS Tonelli, Laurie LAMBE Wallace, Nadine LEVIN and Carol COWAN (stand-
Back row: Mary WALKER, Sally GODFREY Forrest, Mary PATTERSON Preston, Sallie McCORMACK Van Wyck, Carole TILLEY Stuart, Shelley VARLEY
Tidy, Cheryl MCINTYRE Headon, Joanne BRYERS Lochhead and Wendy ANGUS Scott.
It was a very long walk up the aisle of Metropolitan United Church many years ago. My name had just been called as the winner of the Junior School Essay Prize and my knees were trembling. The book I won, Glooskap’s Country and Other Indian Tales, is one I treasure to this day. I remember it was Miss Dunlop, in Grade 4 or 5, who nurtured my writing of poetry. Reading and writing have been a part of my life ever since.
My profession as a chiropractor took me to France for 23 years. There I wrote incessantly, in French, as a member of the executive of the French National Chiropractic Association. As European correspondent, my editorials were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the European Chiropractors Union, and the Italian Journal of Chiropractic. Somewhere along the way I won two Best Scientific Paper Awards.
Serena VANDER WERFF (Quito, Ecuador) recently spent a month in Toronto with her daughter, Camila Bonifaz van der Werff. On September 18, they enjoyed a light lunch in MacNeill Dining Hall prior to touring the Senior School. Serena had not been back to Branksome since her graduation.
With the hits of the late 60s playing in the background, our “cocktail room” was buzzing with happy chatter, smiles and laughter as 20 of us gathered in the Middle School for our 40th Reunion.
Barb PATTISON Hepburn delivered a moving toast to the memory of Marilyn JARVIS Ashkin, with a fi ne red wine from Redhead Ranch, the vineyard Marilyn and her husband operated in California. Thank you to all who contributed to the purchase of this wine! For those who were not able to attend on this memorable occasion, you were certainly with us in spirit.
At the dinner, our two tables were the centre of much hilarity, warmth and goodwill, which lasted long after dessert and
Now back in Toronto, I am on the editorial advisory board of Canadian Chiropractor magazine. As an instructor at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, I write all my lectures. My writing skills continue to improve as the professors in my Master of Health Studies program (Athabasca University) mentor me and encourage me to publish. When I work, I continuously think about what I will write. Perfecting my papers becomes a pleasure, knowing that they will influence thought and action in my profession. And, as I lecture on multiculturalism and cultural sensitivities, Glooskap’s Country has taken on even greater meaning. Branksome’s influence has come full circle.
coffee. We were still visiting with each other after most other reunion classes had left, as the lights came up in the gym and the cleanup started. It was a wonderful evening. Plan ahead and mark May 2014 in your calendars — see you at our 45th!
The news:
Linden ARMOUR von Eichel adores being a grandmother to Bella, 6, Severin, 4, Butler and Felix, 6, and Cecily, 5. Linden is a therapist in Washington, DC and spends every third weekend with her children, Kira, Julia and Jakob, in Brooklyn. She loved seeing everyone at the reunion, especially our European surprise — Caroline VON OTTER Claesson.
Ann BATTEN Kivett, our Sherborne rep, “Batty Ann”, has been found! She lives in Taunton, Somerset, England, with her husband Stephen, a
rector of Staplegrove. They have three children: Jennifer, Fiona and James. Ann’s parents still reside in Bath, just over an hour’s drive from her. Ann is a secretary at a school outside Taunton and hopes to attend our 45th!
Jeane BOYD Anderson e-mailed me from Australia. She moved there from Scotland in 1978 “for just a year or two” to practise midwifery and see the country. Instead, she met and married a true blue Aussie in 1981, raised two sons, and presides over beef cattle on 120 acres near Sale. Jeane still practises midwifery and continues to love bridge.
Rhonnie BREEN Rossi is still writing and commenting on world affairs, as well as those closer to home. She divides her time between her home in Toronto and “Harmony,” her
— Karin HAMMERICH Toronto,
ON
Muskoka cottage. Rhonnie’s comment on the reunion: “No one has changed. We’re all still so young!”
Coline DAY Bettson has started an online group called Canadian Anglican Sunday School Teachers. Their motto is “Sharing and Caring, coast to coast to coast.” Now, Coline and her “virtual colleague” Sunday school teachers are no longer geographically isolated and can share faith, ideas, craft activities, lesson plans, joys and frustrations. Coline is married to an Anglican minister and resides in Dauphin, MB.
Irene DUERDOTH McGeoch retired two years ago from her elementary school teaching career. She found it a great privilege to be a positive influence in the lives of so many children, but also loves being free. Irene still volunteers at the school,
taking photos! Our chronicler of the Class of 1969 brought her wonderful and extensive collection of our well-preserved moments to the reunion. Anyone interested in seeing them, plus photos from our reunion, can contact Liz through the school.
Class of 1969 at the pre-dinner reception Back row: Rosemary ROBERTSON Bassett (Markam, ON), Linda WALLACE Somerville, Ruth TOW Peckover, Sue POWELL (Collingwood, ON), Carol MARBLE Thatcher, Barb PATTISON Hepburn, Julie WILDGOOSE, Barbara BALL Liotscos, Linden ARMOUR Von Eichel (Washington, DC), Cynthia GRACEY Pryor, Irene DUERDOTH McGeotch (London, ON) and Caroline VON OTTER Claesson (Granna, Sweden). Front row: Cindy BUNDY Snell, Allison WADGE, Carol WILTON (Hamilton, ON), Moira PARKS Graham (Oakville, ON), Margaret Ann MARCHANT Whitten (Gloucester, ON), Elizabeth FLAVELLE and Rhonwyn BREEN Rossi. Not in photo: Liz McCUTCHEON Svilans.
Thanks to the diligent work of Reunion Class Rep Allison WADGE, a photo collage of grad photos displayed during the pre-dinner reception took everyone down memory lane.
Linden ARMOUR Von Eichel, middle, with Caroline VON OTTER Claesson, left, and Rhonwyn BREEN Rossi, leads everyone in a tribute and toast to Marilyn JARVIS Ashkin’69 who passed away on November 7, 2008 . The wine came from Red Head Ranch, a vineyard in California run by Marilyn and her husband.
running the chess club. She has two daughters, 28 and 25, a 14-year old Westie, and enjoys summers in Southampton. Irene says our 40th was “a wonderful time of laughter and sharing many precious memories. The ups and downs of the growing up years produced beautiful and accomplished ladies! Those were the days, my friends. Don’t let them ever end!”
Marilyn DRAPER Renaud resides in St. Augustine, Florida. She is the mother of three accomplished young men, and surrogate mother to a wonderful niece and nephew. When
she is not golfi ng, volunteering, or supervising major renovations on her house and grounds, Marilyn is often visiting family and friends in Detroit, Milton, Toronto, Maine, Connecticut, New York City, Florida and all points in between.
Kathy DROPE Taylor wrote to say she is enjoying life as a wife, mother of two and grandmother of Claire. Her married daughter is a teacher; her son is at Brock taking a B.Sc. in winemaking. Kathy resides in Niagara-onthe-Lake, is a former innkeeper, and enjoys bridge and golf.
Elizabeth FLAVELLE Cade arrived to the reunion from New York City just in time for cocktails and dinner. She had been there to attend her elder son’s Master’s Degree grad ceremony at Columbia University.
Elizabeth FORSTER was sorry to miss the reunion. She and the family vacationed this summer in Scotland, visiting her son Geoff, who is fi nishing his M.B.A. at Stirling University. Her son Ian is in business at Bishop’s University. Elizabeth is practising law in Toronto.
Liz McCUTCHEON Svilans is still
After a successful 25-year career at Heritage College applying her Ph.D. in Psychology, our own Dr. Jane RABB retired and started a home-based writing business, BizzMatch. She is the proud owner of Archie and Scrabble, her two canine roommates. Jane says she is still contemplating “what to do when I grow up.” She was sorry to miss our reunion but was in the midst of downsizing. Jane commented on how much she loved the personal letter sent by the Junior School student.
Sue STROUD Armstrong is the proud mother of two grown sons, and is remarried — to a “fabulous Englishman.” They have lived off and on in Bermuda for the past 10 years, but still call Leaside home. Sue had to miss the reunion due to a family funeral in Montreal but promises to be at our 45th.
It was a thrill to welcome Caroline VON OTTER Claesson to her fi rst reunion in 40 years. Caroline lives in Sweden with her husband. She enjoys spending time with her grandson, who happily lives within driving distance of her home.
Finally, thank you to everyone who enthusiastically responded by e-mail, letter and phone, before and after the reunion. It truly is wonderful to live in a day and age when, in a single 20-minute interval, one can be in instant two-way communication with Australia, Sweden, England, Washington, Florida, Calgary, London, Ottawa and points closer to home. Hope to see all those who could not
attend the 40th out in full force at the 45th.
—Allison WADGE Reunion RepJill RAMSAY e-mailed: I’ve lived in San Francisco for 33 years. I love the energy of this beautiful and diverse city, where, for 10 years, I enjoyed teaching at Presidio Hill School, the oldest independent school in California.
In 1998, I received a B.A. (Hons) in Theatre Arts and Communication from Mills College for Women. I then earned an M.S. in Counseling, Rehabilitation and Gerontology, and graduated from SF State University in 2007.
For 25 years I have worked with many swimmers competing in the Special Olympics. One of my champions just celebrated his 30th birthday and has earned over 50 medals. I also work with people with disabilities through the Learning Disability Assessments at City College of SF. It is so fulfilling to help those who are struggling as I did.
With a compelling zest for life, I am a social activist seeking social justice and equality for all. I am active in the LGBT community, especially the seniors, and run a monthly “Rainbow Social Group” at the city’s convalescent hospital. A cancer survivor — seven years and counting — I still swim regularly. My partner Gayle and I were married in Toronto in 2003, and we will celebrate 28 years together in October. I have great memories of Branksome and so many wonderful friends.
At the reunion in May, we were a mighty group of 15. For some it was a fi rst time out, while others came with a sense of trepidation of past dinners with long speeches! Here are my thoughts on the evening: In
Last January, a friend who works at a small Cape Breton newspaper in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, suggested I do some writing on historical matters related to Baddeck as the birthplace of Canadian aviation. One of my eight articles featured Dolena MacKay MacLeod, the first woman in the British Empire to go up in a plane. As she and her family were well known, it generated a lot of local interest, but I never expected the story would go national!
CBC Radio in Sydney, Nova Scotia, made the initial contact and I spoke for three long minutes on the local morning radio show. It was really fun. Two weeks later, I was approached by CBC’s The National, wanting me to be interviewed by Peter Mansbridge. At first, I politely declined, but through gentle persuasion, I ended up in Cape Breton trudging through waist-deep snow with a CBC camera man and reporter, checking out the field where Canada’s first planes flew. On February 23, 2009, The National shot live from Baddeck
as Canadians celebrated 100 years of Flight in Canada. Later that evening, along with footage of the inaugural flight of the Silver Dart replica, I made my debut on television in a taped interview aired during the six-minute feature entitled Did She or Didn’t She?
I spent part of my Cape Breton summer inside “Island” kitchens with a camcorder documenting local stories. I enjoy the research, learning new technical skills, and meeting and being inspired by the many local people, with their humble manner, their amazing stories, their gratitude, and their fine baking and strong tea.
— Deborah HUTCHINS Baldwin’71 Hockley Valley, ONDeborah taught English at Branksome from 1989-92. She and husband Sean reside mostly in the Hockley Valley, ON, and part-time in Toronto and Cape Breton. Their two sons, Casey and Robert, and daughter Martha’02 also enjoy a deep connection to the family’s Cape Breton roots and unique heritage.
the 35 years since leaving Branksome, we have gone in many different directions and had ups and/or downs along the way, but those of us who attended the 2009 Reunion Dinner were glad we did. We shared stories of personally living with cancer and of supporting spouses with it (some with happy endings, some not). Some bragged about successful children and some complained about spouses or lack thereof. We are glad that the years of alumnae dinners being a “competition” are well behind us — we are who we are, and we accept each other as lifetime friends, even though we don’t see each other often. As we all gathered around one table after dessert, we agreed that the 40th will be significant and we hope more of our classmates join us in 2014 — when some of us may brag and/or complain about grandchildren or lack thereof!
Cheers, Sheila MacFEETERS
Anna SMALL-Adams e-mailed: Cathy HECTOR Crockford (Medicine Hat, AB) was visiting her parents in Thornbury in July. We were able to connect and have a wonderful visit and lunch together in Barrie. We last saw each other at our 25th Reunion in 2001. I was also able to enjoy dinner with Jill HOCKIN Hamm at the Vancouver airport on my way from Seattle to Edmonton. Cristen GREGORY and I often get together either in the Barrie area or in Buffalo.
With this issue of The READ being “passion, skill and talent,” I knew there had to be updates and stories from our class. So, in order to avoid the disappointment of turning to our Class Notes section and seeing nothing, I volunteered to contact those of you whose e-mails we know, so here are some updates:
Christy GUNTON’s passion for skating is exactly how she spent her 50th, thanks to the surprise party organizing skills of husband Rob and her three children (one working, one at Acadia and one in Europe traveling post-grad). Sisters Shelley GUNTON’75 and Laurie GUNTON’81 were also there. Christy continues in a management role at Nielsen and, at press time, was looking forward to her trip to Greece, where the whole family would meet their traveling daughter.
Kathy GUYER Klug lives in Pennsylvania and works part time as a researcher for Men’s Health magazine. She and her husband recently acquired U.S citizenship, but still maintain Canadian roots. Their daughter worked in Minden, ON, at Camp Kandalore this summer and they often visit family in Toronto. Kathy’s son attends Duke University.
Margot HALDENBY has a passion for working with children. She is now a program development manager at the YMCA in Toronto. Her two children are doing well. She keeps in touch with several classmates who were at her “awesome” 50th backyard birthday party.
Diana HARRIS Armitage has a passion for volunteering at Country Day School, where all three sons attended and where she recently completed her term as President of the Parents’
Association. Her oldest son has finished Queen’s (Engineering), her middle son is at Queen’s and competes on the rowing team and her youngest is still attending Country Day.
Debbie still works at the Bank of Montreal in human resources and keeps in touch with many classmates. It sounds as though her passion at the moment is home renovation, as she has completely moved out of the house while work is being done on their beautiful home.
Sally STEVENSON Simons has a passion for art. For her 50th she combined a love of Paris with her love of art, and took the Eurostar from her home in Lincolnshire. She enjoyed lunch at the Moulin de la Gallette in Montmartre (on the steep hill going up to Sacré-Coeur.) Then she spent the next few days touring the galleries to feed her painting passion. Sally would like to pursue her art full time but has her job at an architect’s office.
Cathy MORROW and husband
Norman Nurmi are both passionate musicians. Cathy is in demand as a soloist across Toronto, and Norman sings and composes. Cathy was honoured to have a love song written by Norm, entitled All I See Is You. Norm, you have set the bar high on that birthday gift! Their music is available at www.morrownurmimusic.com.
Laureen NEWMAN Fisher spent a great 50th birthday party themed “pretty in pink,” hosted by her husband (also celebrating his 50th), and planned and organized by their daughter Kelly. The family’s passion is fundraising for cancer and they raised over $5,000 at the event which lasted until 6 a.m. Her children are in school: one graduating from teachers’ college in Australia, one at Ryerson and one pursing her singing passion.
Debbie SEAGRAM and husband Carl have two lovely children who are “growing up fast.”
Stevie VALLANCE has three passions — singing, acting and dogs. She loves living in Southampton, ON, where there is a vibrant arts community and where she sings jazz every Thursday night in a hot spot in town. She lost her dog this year but has a new one that she is happily spending time with. Stevie’s music is also available online at www.stevievallance.com.
Jane WILEY is still living and working in England. She and husband Paul have two bright and accomplished children, Sam and Lucy. One of Jane’s many passions is triathlons. Her son proudly states, “My mom has won four triathlons this year!” Jane qualified for the European Championships in Germany and the World Championships in Australia this year.
As for me, I have a passion for my classmates and for Branksome, where I made the best friendships imaginable! When you need a friend, a Branksome classmate will always be there to share advice, a glass
of wine, a laugh or an encouraging e-mail! I spent my 50th birthday mountain biking and learning new skills, specifically, to skeet shoot and fly fish. I also gave myself piano lessons, and am now at the level of a nineyear-old. It is never too late to learn new things and reconnect with old friends. Let’s do more of that this year!
— Kim CAMPBELL McKinnon kimberlee.mckinnon@gmail.comThirty years and looking fabulous! It was another milestone for our class as we celebrated in style on May 23. First of all, thanks to the organizing committee for putting on another superb event — one made even more special thanks to Annabel YARNELL McMahon and Melissa GRACEY, who graciously hosted us in their homes before and after the Saturday night dinner at Branksome. It was a delight to see everyone and we were even able to share plenty of news sent in by several who could not be there.
Missy, Kim and Pat (apologies if I have left anyone out) did an amazing job organizing poster boards of photos. There were plenty of laughs (the hair… the clothes!). We also looked through our 1979 SLOGAN and appreciated what confident, beautiful, wise women we have become.
Annabel has turned her creativity into a thriving business — Thistle and Twine Floral Designs. Everyone was treated to her centrepieces that graced all the reunion tables at the dinner.
Let me share the stories with you:
Teachers Cynthia DUNCAN Lumsden and Judy GARAY were winding down the school year. Judy also continues to compete
in swimming at the master’s level — very inspiring as we approach 50!
Janet HALL continues to put her considerable athletic talents to great use on the ice, managing to fit time in on the trading floor between games. It was great to catch up with Janet’s mom, Beverly LYNCH Hall’49, at the reunion, as her class is on the same five-year schedule as ours.
Looking for a dance instructor? Look no further than Kim HARTELL Stanley whose eldest daughter would be happy to oblige. Not only does she teach, but she is also an accomplished professional dancer, according to Pat CHRISTIE Planques, who has seen her perform.
Cindy HUGHES is the Manager of the Gorman/Shore Sport Injury Clinic, part of the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University. Thanks again, Cindy, for the excellent update on the international consensus on concussion — essential reading for our hockey-crazed household and our girls’ hockey league administrators.
Mary Jane MORRIS Tomashewski continues with her successful career as an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Jane and her entire family as they grieve the loss of her mother, who succumbed to a stroke in June.
Mirabel PALMER-Elliott is up to her eyeballs in meetings to get her new business running, along with keeping up with her two teens. Watch out for Ben, who is part of the Canadian freestyle skiing development program.
Pam PEPPER Zimmerman remains so youthful that the student greeters at the door sent her to the wrong room, as they thought she must be there to celebrate with the class of 1999! Pam is mom to three handsome young men, and is still married to “Dan the Man,” her high school sweetheart.
Carol PIERCE and Kary FIRSTBROOK traveled all the way from Calgary and Whistler to be with us. Carol is Associate Executive Director of Foresight Canada and is also a consultant in environmental management
for Biophilia Inc. Kary is busy with her family, getting plenty of skiing in the winter, then trading in the Whistler chalet for the Georgian Bay cottage in the summer. Watch closely for Kary and Geordie participating in ceremonies and packing the ski course for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver/ Whistler.
Chris RUKAS Kasperavicius is busy with her three children — her son is off to medical school. She is in nursing, specializing in working with children at risk.
Gabby WALLACE Laberge proudly shared pictures of the mighty Luke, now 8, who clearly appears to be as full of beans as his mother.
Here is some news from classmates who were unable to attend but sent along updates either to Mirabel or me:
Ginnie COOPER Stewart and her husband Kent spent the summer in PEI designing their summer home on the shores of the North River (just off the main harbour of Charlottetown). They are also renovating her father’s
condo as well as Kent’s parents’ home in Bermuda. Ginnie sent regards, but was understandably detained helping her father through a fractured hip, and her dog also had leg surgery. She did manage to spend some time with Kary and Geordie at Whistler early in the year, and would love to hear from anyone planning a trip to Bermuda.
Sharon CORNELL Carruthers was busy in Muskoka organizing a huge conference at Clevelands House, where she lives and works with her family. Her daughter, 22, has graduated from kinesiology at Western and will be enjoying some extended travel. Her son, 18, is at Laurentian University studying sports management. Sharon is taking the empty nest in stride, with plans to semiretire this fall.
Janet GILBERT Kincaid and husband David have their own company on King Street West — Level5 Strategic Brand Advisors — which has 30 employees and is thriving. Their daughter Sarah was a Prefect at St. Mildred’s this year and is now at Western for the MIT program. Daughter Alyson is in Grade 11 at St. Mildred’s and completed her silver Duke of Edinburgh this year. She also plays Midget AA hockey (Janet, watch out for our Waterloo team — our daughter Bronwyn plays and Bob coaches). Son Scott is in Grade 6 at Kingsway College School, and is a hockey star and junior champ at the Muskoka Bay Golf club. They are building a new house but still fi nd time for some serious athletics, with the girls doing the Gravenhurst Triathalon, and David running his 17th marathon in September.
Amanda GRAHAM still lives in the Yukon and works at Yukon College. She continues to do fabulous photography. Please visit her gallery at www.fl ickr.
com/photos/ytwhitelight — wonderful stuff. Amanda, Judy GARAY tried with all her might to get through to you on Skype that night, but we couldn’t quite make the connection!
Carolyn HELBRONNER was attending a pension law conference in Athens in May. She presented a paper and received an award as well. Congratulations, Carolyn! She and husband Doug then did some traveling in Greece and Turkey.
Susan MENDES DeFranca (once my across-the-hall buddie and roommate of Becca McCORMACK Scarratt) sent regrets, as she was in Kingston with her husband John celebrating his 25th reunion from Queen’s Law. We shared some beautiful pictures of her family that she sent. Her daughter Martha, 19, is studying life sciences at Queen’s and son Will, 18, is off to Wilfrid Laurier in Waterloo to study business. Susan has retired from the sales/food industry, giving her time for family/friends, golfi ng, skiing and yoga. smdf@rogers.com.
It was a pleasure to catch up with Lavita NADKARNI on the phone from Denver. She is a psychologist and Director of Forensic Studies at the University of Denver. Lavita and husband Michael remain busy with Maya, 5, now in preschool. Much of our conversation was a professional one, as we needed to speak at length about her recent diagnosis of breast cancer. She wanted me to share with you that there is plenty of good news with her situation — thankfully, it was caught extremely early and, although she needs to go through chemotherapy, it is all with the intent to cure. All of us, Lavita, send healing vibes your way.
Marianne REYNOLDS Highwood sent news and pictures of her
beautiful family. She says business in England is a bit stagnant (market research is suffering everywhere it seems), so she has found time to invigilate exams for the senior students at her girls’ school. She provided an excellent description of the grubby, worn halls and gym, and students with their skirts hiked up as high as possible! She and husband Charles will celebrate their 20th anniversary this year in style, as they won a trip to a lovely country house complete with a ride in a vintage Bentley. Her main concern — what is a girl to wear?
Leslie SHOOTER admits to rising above her mathematically challenged years at Branksome to have become a director with Pacific Life, one of the largest insurance/investment companies in the U.S. Sadly, her dad passed away in 2000 from esophageal/stomach cancer, but she enjoys plenty of time with her mom and her mom’s husband, who live in Ancaster, ON, but spend four months each winter in Leslie’s home in sunny California. Leslie sends greetings to all.
Jenny TIMBRELL Judge e-mailed the Alumnae Office: I live in Titirangis, a village on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand, and work on my sculpture. I am a member of a glass casting collective, and the six of us run a studio with kilns and equipment for the glass casting
process. I was in Korea in September to install a sculpture in the Canadian Pavillion at The Cheongju International Craft Biennale, and will be exhibiting in the Canadian Craft Exhibition at The Vancouver Museum during the Winter Olympics. My husband Michael teaches art and design at a nearby high school. We have two children, Maddie, 18, and Sebastian, 11, and a dog named Indigo. I would love to hear from anyone traveling this way. www.jennyjudge.com
Bob and I are still in Waterloo working in oncology at the cancer centre. We are staying active with biking, running, skiing, golf and hockey. Our three girls are in Grade 11, 9 and 7, and are great students and athletes who enjoy a wide variety of school and club sports. I know there are many more personal stories to share, but the reunion always fl ies by and you can never get everyone’s story. Please keep me up to date so I can share your news next time.
In closing, I have heartbreaking news. On May 22, our classmate Arden PATTERSON Boehm lost her battle with kidney disease. A number of classmates were able to attend Arden’s service, and a special thank you to Annabel for arranging a gorgeous bouquet on behalf of a number of classmates. With help from many of you, I have written a separate tribute to Arden in this issue (p. 54). May
1980
Meg SINTZEL, husband Ian Fodie and stepdaughter Dayna have moved back to Toronto from Vancouver. Meg is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Accenture, a global management consulting, technology and outsourcing company. This photo was taken while vacationing in Greece in 2008.
we be reminded of her gentle kindness, so that we may bring out more of that in ourselves and others.
Till next time, Carolyn carolyn.campbell@grhosp.on.ca
within the next year, then complete a Ph.D. in curriculum development. Alison and her husband, a mortgage broker, have two active children: Liam, 9, and Anya, 7. Black lab Lily completes the family.
Darcy BETT Sutherland-Snider and husband Douglas were married on their 6.25-acre property, Red Wing Farm, in The Town of Blue Mountains, ON. Their combined family includes three girls and one boy. When not working at Doug’s law firm in Waterloo, Darcy enjoys tennis, riding Doug’s motorcycle and planting gardens. Their property has a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pit and walking paths.
I have always loved acting and singing. It helped me lighten everyone’s mood, and that is what made me feel the best. I remember getting up at prayers and pretending I was somebody else. I remember Miss Northgrave telling me how gifted I was. As a singer, I have been asked by many people to sing solos. After I had a severe stroke, singing was the one part of my life that did not change. I thank the Lord, because if music wasn’t part of my life I think it would be truly depressing. Acting is now in my past, but through photos it lives on.
— Kathleen McCOMBE Vanderlinden Waterloo, ONJulia BAILLIE Roehrig’82 wears her sister’s (Christie BAILLIE de Souza’82) Branksome uniform on a “wear anything Scottish” day in honour of Stuart Miller, then Principal of Georgetown District High School where Julia works.
Our class…25 years later: Kathy BARCLAY Thompson lives in Collingwood with her husband Howard, son Jeff, 15, and daughter Hana, 12. She works part-time and enjoys taking advantage of the many recreational opportunities available in the area.
Alison BARTLETT Smalley is a chemistry and biology teacher in Riverview, NB, a town within the greater Moncton community and a wonderful place to raise a family, with sandy beaches, the Bay of Fundy and PEI all within an hour’s drive. In addition to teaching, Alison has worked as a field biologist and as a biology curriculum developer for the Province of New Brunswick. She plans to start her master’s degree in science education
Mary BOYNTON Kelly graduated from UWO and, soon after, was offered a job with then Carling O’Keefe, recently known as Molson Coors. Mary has held various jobs over the 21 years with Molson and is currently in a sponsorship management role managing the relationships and contractual assets with their tier one sport properties. She is thrilled to be included in the Olympic activation team and excited about the upcoming 2010 Olympic experience. Mary is married, has eight-year-old
twin boys and lives in Oakville. When the family is not in a hockey arena, they can be found at their cottage on Go Home Lake either boating or snowmobiling.
Carmen BUSQUETS was sorry to miss the reunion. She is the same Venezuelan “gypsy” from her Branksome days and still divides her time between Switzerland, Paris, London, Spain and Miami for work and family. For 20 years, Carmen has been an entrepreneur in the fashion and luxury industries, starting her first business at the age of 22 in Venezuela. By
1997 she was seduced by the Internet and its possibilities and became involved in various start-up concepts as a founder and investor. A co-founder and investor of Net-A-Porter, she has started a new company, CoutureLab, and is involved in other investments with her family. Carmen loves traveling to India and Asia every year and dreams of moving there in the future if she ever retires. If you have plans to be in Europe or Miami, let her know. She would love to see you.
Isobel CALVIN Bonar can’t believe she has been in Stamford, CT,
light-hearted moment with her former principal,
&passion skill talent 1983
for nine years. Her son George, 10, and daughter Annabel, 8, keep her busy and young, and she loves her job in human resources at Hewitt Associates. In the winter, they ski; in the summer, they sail; and Isobel enjoys the occasional cruising vacation without the kids.
Kate DAFOE Vernum went back to school to become a licensed funeral director and is now employed by Taylor Funeral Home in Newmarket. Kate and her husband Bruce recently settled in Aurora with daughters Emily, 7, and Skylar, 4, and new dog Nigel.
Kathy DYBA has been teaching for 11 years at international schools. She taught Grade 3 in Bahrain, was Curriculum Coordinator for four years in Kuwait, an ESL teacher in Cairo, an Elementary Counselor in Budapest, and is now in Islamabad, Pakistan — an amazing way to see the world! Kathy was married on July 12, 2008!
Heather FLEMING Antunes is a stay-at-home mom to Nicholas, 14, and Liam, 12, and still lives in Unionville. Heather went back to school three years ago and earned a B.Ed. She and her family love to travel and were at their condo for March break, and in Europe in the summer. At Christmas they either go to the beach or go snowboarding. Nicholas is at Rosseau Lake College and Liam is at Toronto Waldorf School. With Liam a nationally ranked archer and Nicholas on the number one ranked soccer team in Ontario, their activities keep them busy.
Deborah GLYNN Jackson lives in Oakville with her husband, two daughters and son (ages 6, 8 and 12 respectively). Debbie has been with ARAMARK Canada Ltd. for 10 years and is a Compliance Manager in the Supply Chain Department. Debbie also has a wellness
When I was a student at Branksome, I played the violin. Now, I make my living as a violinist, performing all over southeast Michigan. Back in 1978, I was asked to perform at the Carol Service, held at St. Paul’s on Bloor. What an honour it was. I practised Fantasia on Greensleeves constantly until the day of the service. John Tuttle, organist at St. Paul’s, was commissioned to accompany me. It was one of my most memorable experiences. He is such a wonderful musician. Now, my daughter Hannah is a student at Branksome, and she enjoys singing in the chamber and jazz choirs. She has also performed at St. Paul’s and was accompanied by none other than Dr. Tuttle! Happily, some things do not change.
pursue her M.A. in History at U of T. Sandra has enjoyed travels through Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, capturing her experiences through her photography — an enjoyable hobby that is a big part of her life. Sandra is now pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science (her last degree, she swears!) at UWO and hopes to become an academic librarian.
business, in which she shows people how to save money by purchasing products that are better for them and the environment.
Deborah.jackson@sympatico.ca
Cynthia GOODCHILD has worked in residential real estate with husband Colin Kinnear for 14 years. They have a daughter, 7, and son, 4. Cynthia just finished (almost) renovating her house and spends time volunteering at her daughter’s school and enjoying life.
Sheila GRAHAM Trott lives in Indialantic, Florida. She has two tall blonde surfers, Creighton, 18, and Graham, 16. Sheila has an M.B.A. and owns her own real estate office, Weston Properties & Associates. She is the administrator for the Architectural Review Committee in a multi-million dollar community called Orchid Island and developed by Canadians Hilary and Galen Weston.
Marcia HARTILL Groper is still married to high school sweetheart Mark. Daughter Emily, 13, is at Elmwood, and son Adam, 11, is at Ashbury College. Marci left the fi nance industry 11 years ago and has been coaching competitive swimming ever since with the Nepean Kanata Barracudas.
Sandra HERBER did her undergrad in History at Bryn Mawr and later earned an M.B.A. from Western. After spending six years in business, she returned to school for a B.Ed. With no teaching jobs in Ontario in the mid-90s, Sandra went overseas and taught an Ontario curriculum program in Malaysia. It was the best of all worlds: credit in Ontario for teaching OAC courses, while teaching Malaysian students whose culture has an innate and deep respect for teachers. The chance to travel all around Southeast Asia was also fantastic. Once back in Toronto, Sandra taught for several years before returning to university to
Heather LAFLEUR lives in Munich with her husband and two daughters, Gretchen, 5, and Cecily, 2. An active freelance creative director and designer, she manages a small but colourful portfolio of international clients (one current client is Martha McCARTHY, as Heather created Martha’s identity and communication materials for her recently launched law firm). Heather was involved with her daughter’s kindergarten, managing the parent-child initiative as head of the board for the past two years. Heather recently ran the Munich 10K and is gearing up for a half-marathon this fall. heather.lafleur@gmail.com
After Branksome, Linda MARTIN headed to college for a degree in child care. In the late 80s, she was married, but became widowed before the birth of her daughter. When Sarah was two, they moved to Florida and, with help from her family, Linda pursued a teaching degree at university and started working part time in the family business. She is still in the family business, Chateau Products, Inc. Sarah, 19, is in her second year of university in Salt Lake City, UT. Linda is engaged to a great man and will be married this fall.
Laura McELWAIN Holme only meant to stay in England for three years, to study English at Leicester University, but she is still there. She went on to receive a postgraduate diploma in Advertising and Media, then
entered the world of advertising. She is the Marketing Director at Proximity London, and lives in Haslemere, Surrey. She runs in half-marathons, with plans to run a marathon next year. Her son Max, 8, keeps her constantly entertained.
Martha PAISLEY Pedersen, husband Mike and children Jack, 10, Kate, 8 (in Grade 4 at Branksome), and Matthew, 3, are back in Toronto after five years in England and France. Martha has a B.A. from Queen’s and an M.B.A. from York. She is taking time off now to be with her children.
Andrea RYDER lives in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Since her Branksome days, she received a B.A. in Anthropology and French from Trent University. With her thesis on sacred Hindu Architecture in India, she was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship (master’s) to study Comparative Religion in India. With a B.F.A. in Printmaking and Photography from Concordia University, she is the editor-in-chief of the online magazine Slingshot (www.slingshotmagazine.org).
Andrea is a founding member and is on the Board of Governor’s of the International Institute of Fine Arts in Delhi,
India. There, she wrote the curriculum mixing Eastern and Western methodologies, has taught pinhole photography and is currently in dialogue with New York University to send a visiting class. She received her M.A. in Studio Art, from NYU, and has exhibited work in Cuba, India and Canada. In summer 2004, she had her first solo show of photographs in New York. Andrea was selected for the premier edition of Carte Blanche, a collection of leading contemporary Canadian photographers published by the Magenta Foundation in 2006. Her latest creative project is motherhood, although she still paints and takes pictures.
Cheryl SASVELD Stevens lives in Chicago’s western suburbs with her husband Jeff and daughter Clara, 1. She is a financial controller for a Japanese technical glass manufacturer.
Alison TASKER received a B.A. from Victoria College, U of T. She continued on and earned an M.A. in Philosophy. While working as a product manager at Nortel, Alison studied business and received her M.B.A. from the University of Calgary in 2001. Alison lives in Toronto and works as a political and economic policy advisor for the
U.S. government. In her spare time, Alison coaches youngsters in alpine skiing.
Sarah TAYLOR lives in Oakville with her three children (17, 15 and 11) and her husband Keith and his two children. After eight years of running her own landscaping business, Sarah and Keith started up Lakeshore Home Maintenance — a company that “takes care of your to-do list inside and out.” Although they are busy with home life and work, they find time to get away to Algonquin to relax and recharge — the only place where cell phones don’t work.
Karen THOMSON Mercer has worked for 22 years at the Hospital for Sick Children, mostly in the Critical Care Unit and most recently as a nurse on the Critical Care Response Team. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their two daughters, ages 6 and 9.
Wendy WEBER Jackman has taught English at Waterloo Collegiate Institute for over 20 years, and currently teaches Grade 9 and Writer’s Craft. She lives in Kitchener with husband Dan and children, Mallory, 16, and Walton, 12. Walton takes karate and Mallory is on a Junior competitive synchronized skating team in Mississauga, as well as being in the IB Program at Cameron Heights Collegiate. Wendy spends a lot of the time in her van, frequenting rinks and being grateful for free WiFi!
As for me, I worked for many years with the City of Toronto in a variety of interesting roles, took time off for my three children — Conor, 13, Reid, 12, Taylor, 9 — and then started my own business, Fitzgerald Communications. Dave and I recently celebrated our 20th anniversary. It was such fun reconnecting with all of you. Please keep me
posted at jennfitzh@rogers.com or on Facebook. Until next time,
— Jennifer FITZGERALD Hansen Reunion Rep
Out of curiosity to know more about the “girls” with whom I had spent years at Branksome, I sent an e-mail asking for your scoop. Many of you replied — a vast improvement on the usual one or two updates. Many thanks to everyone.
— Seana MASSEYJanet ANTHONY Godden, husband Ollie and daughters Isabel and Ella, ages 4 and 2, live in London, England. Janet works part time for a financial training company and is responsible for new business development. They managed a big house renovation last year, and any spare time is spent swimming, jogging, reading and cooking.
Hayley AvRUSKIN is a Grade 7/8 guidance counselor at Branksome. She and husband Phil Richmond, and sons Jake and Harry (9 and 7), spend most weekends in Creemore, except in the winter, when you can find them swimming at Bloorview Kids Rehab. In August, Hayley spent a week in Creemore with Stacey NORTHGRAVE and her family.
Fiona BAIRD Blair, husband Jamie and sons Christopher, 11, and Taylor, 9, live in Muskoka in the summer and Grand Cayman in the winter. She home schools her boys so they can continue to travel as a family. Last school year, they spent a few months hopping around the Pacific from Tokyo to New Zealand, and grabbed every other opportunity to road trip within a 1,000 km radius of Ontario.
Leith BLACHFORD lives in Toronto with her partner and works in marketing at the Royal
Conservatory. She has had interesting travels to Ecuador and Greenland, enjoys hobbies such as making homemade ice cream and, last year, participated in a two-day cross-country ski race in Quebec.
Sue CREIGHTON lives in Ottawa with her husband of 12 years, Tom, their two children, Katie, 10 and Alexander, 9, and Biscuit, the dog. She works casually for Canada Post.
Sasha DARLING works in Toronto at Scotia McLeod as an Investment Executive, and has become an avid morning runner. She and partner Meredith CARTWRIGHT’83 have their daughter Brooke in Grade 2 at Branksome. A real highlight for her this summer was riding the Behemoth rollercoaster twice at Canada’s Wonderland!
Miranda de PENCIER was recently in the Arctic scouting a location for a new production, and continues to carry on successfully in the entertainment world. Most recently, she was a producer for the award-winning film Adam, which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was released by Fox Searchlight in August. She is also the co-creator and executive producer of the CBC TV series Wild Roses, which premiered in January.
Sarah DYACK is a clinical geneticist in Halifax, and was recently promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Dalhousie University. She and husband, Vladimir Kozousek, have two children, Catherine, 2-1/2 (and a redhead like mom), and Pavel, (Czech name for Paul), 7 months. She loves the Maritimes and living by the ocean. They sail and, at press time, had plans for an overnight cruise up to Cape Breton and the Bras d’Or Lakes. Sarah welcomes visitors from her Branksome days.
Wendy GIBSON Hill and husband Mike left Toronto in 2000 and moved to London, England, where they stayed for five years. They are now in Greenwich, CT, just 20 miles from New York. They have one daughter, Katie, 12, and two sons, Henry and George, 9 and 6. Both boys attend Kilcoo Camp in Ontario for a few weeks, and Katie has been a camper at Glen Bernard for five years. Mike works on Wall Street and Wendy has stayed at home for the past eight years and “wouldn’t trade it for anything.” They hope to exchange their green cards for U.S. citizenship soon. Wendy keeps up with Danielle PERRON, who is a dear friend.
As a competitor in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Martha HENDERSON had the most fun traveling and getting to know so many interesting people all over the world. The scariest moment was sailing in 43 knots (over 80 km) off the coast of Cascais, Portugal. The most challenging time was believing in the dream when no one else did. Now she is back to reality, and loves being back in Toronto working for the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club in Corporate Sales and Sponsorship,
Sarah HENNESSY, after several years working at Hennessy & Associates, recently completed her Early Childhood Education diploma at George Brown/
Ryerson which involved a month-long placement at an international school in Suzhou, the “Venice of China.” She enjoyed the experience so much, and was so highly regarded by the school, that she returned for another year. Sarah fully immersed herself in the Chinese culture, and reported that her many experiences and adventures were a constant mix of amusement and education.
Lesley HINDER lives in London, England, with husband Alistair and their two sons, Miles, 6 and Leo, 3. Having earned an M.A. in Psychotherapy and Counseling, Lesley works with clients in two locations in London, and also does mediation work.
Bridget HORNE Colman, husband Mark, and daughters Allegra and Mia, 11 and 8, live in New York City. In the summer, they spent a month in BC, mostly on Vancouver Island. While there, she had dinner with former Branksome geography teacher Shirley Bell, who was in fine form.
Alwynne JEFFREY lives in Toronto and is at home with her two boys Russell, 3, and Simon, 1.
Joyce KITE and husband Rob Smith live in Etobicoke with their three children, Dylan, 6, Ryan, 3, and Kassidy, 1. She is back to work as a part-time high school English teacher, and still
teaches dancing at her Joyce Kite School of Highland Dance — one of her students is Samantha Moffat Sanz, daughter of Jackie SANZ. Joyce is working on plans for a major home renovation and their architect is none other than Terrell BOND Wong, so they will be incorporating many sustainable elements into the second-storey addition to their ranch-style bungalow. And, with friend Jane LOCKHART using her interior design talents, they will achieve a beautiful interior space for this awesome, modern house. Joyce keeps in touch with Liz ALLINGHAM in England. Dylan and Liz’s son Marcus, 7, are great buddies.
Susan KNEIDER recently moved back to Whistler after working at the Beverly Wiltshire Hotel in Los Angeles planning events for the entertainment business and social and corporate clients. She met interesting people (Morgan Freeman was her favourite), but best of all was not experiencing winter. Susan looks forward to the 2010 Olympics where she will volunteer for the alpine racing events. Until then, she will plan conferences locally, and enjoy time with her niece and nephew in Vancouver, and practise her golf game. For her 40th birthday, her husband surprised her with a trip to Toronto, where she had a great dinner with friends and family. Tamara LONG Stewart, Laura TWEEDY Houghton and Virginia LUKS were there.
Jen LAW Fraser lives in Toronto with husband Bruce, daughters Roz and Sophie, 11 and 8, and golden doodle Sage. She works part time at a local preschool in administration. The family spends a lot of time at their cottage in the Haliburton Highlands area. Jen keeps in touch with Christina MEYNELL and Becky MOORE Brown.
After four fabulous years in Italy, Seana MASSEY has been
happily back in Toronto since 2005. Seana and husband Ian have two children: Tessa, 5, and Nathan, 2 — both are true gifts. She loves being an at-home mom, but “widens her world” as a Board member for Humewood House (a residential facility for pregnant teens and young moms) and for SkyWorks Charitable Foundation, which makes documentaries for social justice. She also volunteers at the children’s school and for Branksome. Seana keeps in touch with many Branksome classmates, as well as alumnae from years above and below.
Danielle MILLER lives in Toronto with Jamey Gage and children Henry, Charlie and Audrey (7, 6, and 2). After nine years at the Crown Attorney’s office, Danielle took a leave of absence last year and established her own criminal appellate law practice. She works from home and has the flexibility to deal with a busy household. Coincidentally, Charlie and Joyce KITE’s son, Dylan, are in Grade 1 together at a new school. Danielle enjoys running again and, at press time, was training for the Scotiabank half marathon.
Katie MILLS O’Connor lives in Leaside with husband David, a chiropractor, and their two girls, Mason and Davis, 6 and 2. She continues to enjoy working with her family in their residential real estate business at Prudential Sadie Moranis Realty. The family is in Muskoka as often as possible, where Katie loves to water ski. They are also in the process of building a new cottage.
Tracey MONTGOMERY lives in Lorne Park in Mississauga. In 1991 she married Charles Eddie and they have three children: Keegan, 16, William, 14, and nine-month-old Peyton — and a doodle named Scoobi. Tracey has been self-employed for 16 years. In her business, Vital
Communications, she facilitates design and production of custom promotional and wait staff apparel, mainly for the wine, beer and spirits industry in the U.S.
Becky MOORE Brown, husband Glenn and daughter Maggie, 15, have moved from Horseshoe Valley back to Toronto. Becky works from home managing the accounts for Glenn’s photography company (he does a lot of work for Branksome). She also paints with an art group and has just finished taking financial planning classes at Georgian College. In January, an operation on a sore hip wasn’t as successful as she would have liked, so she
will have a hip replacement sometime next year. She hopes to get back to skiing, walking and bike riding again. Becky also has a 24-year-old stepson, Donald, who lives nearby and visits often.
Stacey NORTHGRAVE is a community-based dermatologist in Sydney, Cape Breton, and her husband, Tom Currie, is an emergency physician. They have two daughters, Beatrice, 10, and Julia, 7. Between the job and home, there’s little time for anything else, although the family tries to get away as much as possible to their beachfront cottage in Ingonish. Hayley AvRUSKIN and Stacey have a pact
to vacation with their families every other year.
Alison PAPAS Withey has been happily married for six years and lives in Huntsville (where brown bears and deer frequently visit their woodland lot) with husband Tim, their three children and two golden retrievers. Her stepdaughter, Emily, is at Queen’s; stepson Brock is in Grade 11; and daughter Hannah is entering JK. Many summer days are spent on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park. Alison is President and Founder of Blue Whale Communications Inc., a public relations firm specializing in marketing, corporate and internal communications.
Danielle PERRON lives in Etobicoke, near the lake, with husband Scott Dibble and their 17-month-old son Tinh. They loved their experience in Vietnam, where they spent a month last fall during Tinh’s adoption. Danielle works near the airport at Infield Marketing Group, where she is a partner with three men. Along with 25 staff, the core business is experiential marketing — event sampling, product demonstration, sponsorship management and event execution, but they also developed and manage City Chase, an urban adventure series.
the brokerage business with Dundee Securities Corporation, working four days a week downtown, and Fridays from home. All ups and downs aside, Sam is so grateful to have Ella and loves being a mom.
Shelagh STURTRIDGE Paul and husband Dave have two sons, Matthew and Liam. She loves her new position as AVP Corporate Communications at The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company.
While working in public relations at Alliance Atlantis — a job I thought I loved — I stumbled on my true passion: Pilates. After just a few classes, I fell in love with this fabulous workout system that, at the time, was a relatively uncommon exercise form. It has now become popular for strengthening, lengthening, toning, healing, energizing and relaxing the body.
As someone who once hated exercise, I can’t believe I have been teaching Pilates for nine years, have fi lmed 16 workout DVDs, and have celebrated the sixth anniversary of Pilates for Life, my Yorkville Pilates and yoga studio.
Jean PRITCHARD lives in an old house in Elora with husband Leigh, children Lindsay, Hilary and James (12, 11 and 6), and two dogs. As a commercial pilot, Leigh has a flying schedule that keeps him home a lot, which is amazing. Jean’s parents live nearby, and they are a huge help, given the family’s active lives. Jean is a C.A. and partner in Robinson & Company LLP, a public accounting firm in Guelph. She works with many family businesses and charities and thoroughly enjoys helping them succeed. She also acts as treasurer for some local charities, including the United Way of Guelph and Wellington and the Elora Festival and Singers.
Samantha SHARPE lives in an historic condo in Rosedale with daughter Ella, 3, and their cat. Ella has a great sense of humour and has improved Sam’s life in many ways. She is in the midst of a divorce, but has a boyfriend who lives in BC. She is still in
Jacqui SZETO Meiers lives in Toronto with husband Brad, daughter Rachel, 4, and Hudson, their Portguese waterdog. Jacqui has been at TD Securities for 16 years — the last 10 as VicePresident Director, Institutional Fixed Income Sales. She is an active member of Women in Capital Markets and co-founder of www.goneshopping.ca with over 5,400 clients in North America. Jacqui loves Facebook for connecting with old friends and is addicted to the need to be connected at all times, including on the dock in Muskoka.
Vicky THOMSON lives in a newly renovated house in Toronto with husband Alan, two sons, Alexander and Oliver, and two cats. She works at Levi’s as the business leader for department stores, enjoys seeing Stephanie BARRINGTON, Sue CORLEY Dawson, Kari TAYLOR and Alwynne JEFFREY, and often spends holidays in Kelowna with sister Alexis THOMSON’89 and her family.
Pilates for Life has become a community, with amazing instructors and wonderful clients. The quote: “Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” certainly rings true for me.
— Amy BROWN’93 TorontoAngela van STRAUBENZEE, husband Henry Zaluski, and daughters Anabelle, 10, and Lily, 8, live in North Toronto. She is a stay-at-home mom, who enjoys helping out at her children’s school and attending her pottery class.
Suzanne WALTER Millar lives in King Township, north of Toronto, with her husband, children Rachel, 5, and Markus, 3, and a new kitten. After many years living in the Yukon and many years importing from Indonesia, Thailand, Laos and Nepal, she closed her business, Zan Chantik, to spend time with the children.
Liz WOOD lives in Fort Langley, BC with her husband, children Julia, 10, and Cam, 12, and pug dog Ella. She left her job running a special education de-
partment at a local high school, where she also case managed over 30 high-functioning autistic children. Now she is at a high school in Surrey working mainly with learning disabled students and is also at Simon Fraser University as an itinerant professor in the Department of Education. The family enjoyed two weeks in the Maritimes in the summer, the highlight of which was tidal bore rafting in the Bay of Fundy.
Alex WRIGHT Elling has been in London, England, for eight years. She and her Danish husband have two girls, Isabella and Christina, 11 and 8. Alex works for Highbridge Principal Strategies, a private equity fi rm owned by J.P. Morgan and affi liate to Highbridge, the hedge fund. She returns to Toronto a few times each year, and keeps in touch with Sloan MAURAN and Sasha DARLING.
Heather CARTWRIGHT e-mailed: I am continuing as the Head Coach, Lightweight Women, at Harvard University and was recently accepted to The Boston University School of Education to do a master’s in coaching specialization. I will begin the program part time in the fall, while continuing to coach at Harvard. My crew finished fourth at the IRA National Championships in Sacramento, CA in June, with the best regular season results in 11 years.
Kathleen WILLIAMS Panos , left, and Tara CROGHAN Bent have fun with their digital camera
At the pre-dinner reception are, top row: Katie EARLE Tyler, Michelle FOJT Frigo (Guelph), Allison GIBSON Boyd (Aurora), Joanne WAN (Surrey, England), Meghan CHERRY Baker (Stouffville, ON), Meredith KELLY Oke, Krista EVANS Simpson, Lex SCULLY and Heather
Having traveled from near and far for their reunion are Joanne WAN (Surrey, England), Charmaine LEE (Edmonton), Anne WALKER Butwell (Pickering, ON) and Karoline COPPING (London, England).
in May, while at a baby shower for Sarah CLAPPISON Claydon. Kathleen wrote: “Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday, that we were rolling up our kilts, sun tanning in the quad, and enjoying one of Stan’s ice cream cones. Now, 17 years later, how life has changed! Yet the constant — lifelong friendships and the wonderful women of the Class of 1992 — you know who you are and we love you!”
Kristin KELTER Bristow enjoyed her mat leave with son Jackson. She is now enjoying her new role in source water protection administration at Conservation Ontario, liaising with Ontario’s conservation authorities, the
Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Natural Resources on the Provincial Clean Water Act. Kristin and her family enjoyed summer at their cottage, and spent time with Amanda BARRINGTON
MacMillan, her husband Matt and their son Colin.
Shannon LEWIS is back in Toronto after eight years living abroad in the U.K. and Australia.
Enjoying an evening out on September 10 are 1992 classmates:
I wish I could tell you that my passion was sky-diving, or maybe island hopping. But, no, my passion is much tamer. I love to write. Be it fiction writing, legal writing, or even drafting correspondence to friends via e-mail, I enjoy the ability to effectively communicate my ideas (or case law analysis, or silly random anecdotes) to others via the written word. OK, so maybe it lacks the element of excitement for some. You’ve probably skimmed politely through my blurb and are, at this point, ready to flip to the next page. But hey, we’re all good at different things, and this skill just so happens to be mine. It wasn’t until I started practising law that I realized how much I enjoyed writing. The compliments from superiors increased in frequency, and I began to realize that this ability of mine really was considered a talent by some. After four years of practice in New York City under my belt, I started my own research and writing business, offering these services to lawyers and other professionals in both New York City and Toronto. I am immersed in what I love to do and, for this reason, I love my career today.
— Carla FARALDO’96 Woodbridge, ON cvf.esq@gmail.com
Sarah HOPGOOD worked on the design team at Ports 1961 headquarters in China. After two years of designing for the collection, she was named Head of Ports 1961 “Fait Main,” a collection of one-of-a-kind evening gowns for red carpet events. Her designs have been worn by, among others, Angelina Jolie, Sophia Bush and
Back row: Michelle OMURA, Anna FISCHER-HARRISON, former teacher Susan Meech, Michelle MILLER, Alexandra CAMPBELL, teacher Karen Fabian, Lindsay HASTINGS, Stephanie VERMEULEN, Christine WATSA McLean, Darci MacPHEE, Amanda SMITH, Farahana JOBANPUTRA and
Marg Helgenberger. Last year, Sarah joined Ports International, Ports 1961’s sister company of domestic luxury apparel, in China. As Senior Designer, her designs have fi lled 400-plus stores across China and Hong Kong and have been featured in magazines across the country.
Sarah KENNEDY e-mailed: In May, I completed my Master of Visual Arts Administration at NYU and graduated with an alumni award of outstanding
contribution to the program. In September, I began a year-long interpretive fellowship at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, where I will be working in the Education Department to develop public programs for a variety of visitors that correlate directly with the curatorial programs and exhibitions.
the early 90s, is working on her master’s degree in oceanography, and spends much of her free time with her family in Baddeck, Cape Breton.
Jessica CHAO e-mailed: Since completing my undergrad at the University of Ottawa in International Studies and Modern Languages, I received an M.Sc. in Gender, Development and Globalization from the London
In Grade 13 at Branksome, the Art Department offered a beginner photography class; a defining moment for me and one that led me to the Image Arts Program at Ryerson University. As a photographer, I feel driven by the need to explore the written word through visual interpretation — the literary experience becomes the visual experience.
The author, playwright and poet’s words take on a spirit of their own, which begins to formulate a visual narrative within my imagination. For me, it is not simply taking the photograph in order to document the subject, but rather the process of physically creating, layer by layer, the actual scene envisioned in my imagination, as stimulated by the written words. These theories have been the foundation of my work with portraiture.
I graduated with a B.F.A. in Photography in 2002, and after a few years of struggling as an artist, the need for a “real job” became my reality. I have been working in administration and project management for several years, and although photography is not a daily part of my role, there are countless opportunities within our communications department for me to apply my expertise and offer a creative outlet. My passion for photography has enabled me to photograph my family and create a visual diary of my son’s life.
School of Economics. I then interned at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, focusing on project development in the West Africa region working with post-conflict States. I helped initiate a large collaborative project intended to strengthen border control and security in order to counter illicit drug trafficking. Still in Vienna, I am now on contract, for several months, as a consultant at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Liz SOUTTER, in addition to her studies at Harvard, organized and performed in a 15-hour sew-a-thon on April 12 in Boston to raise funds for a school in Bunkulung, Nepal, a project of her camp where she has worked each summer. She used scrap fabric to sew as much as she could in 15 hours. Everything she made was donated to the Centauri Arts Marathon, and the clothes were then sold in a silent auction with her personal goal of raising $1,000. www.centauri.on.ca/marathon/ team.htm.
reunion 2009
2004 celebrates Reunion on May 23.
At the reception following this beloved tradition, held on October 9, are: Karrie Weinstock, Head of the Senior/Middle School and Admissions, Head Girl Dilshaan Panjwani and guest speaker Sydney BLUM’03.
To view a video of the entire ceremony, please visit: http://bit.ly/2lnA0f
1983
Sarah TESKEY to James McRae Mclean on December 30, 2008, in Toronto.
1984
2001
Dilnoor PANJWANI to Akber Samji on August 8, 2009, in Toronto.
Shirley YIP to Jason Chu on July 11, 2009, in Richmond Hill, ON.
1986
Martha MORDEN De Simone, a daughter, Taylor Caitlyn, on May 27, 2009, in Markham, ON. A niece for Mary MORDEN Fernandes’82.
Shelagh McKEOWN Durno, a son, George William, on July 6, 2009, in Toronto. A nephew for Kelly Anne McKEOWN’94.
Neysha SOODEEN, a son, Tej Neil, on April 20, 2009, in Trinidad.
Kristi SYRON, a daughter, Bridget Kristine, on May 15, 2009, in Toronto.
1991
Lindsay OUGHTRED, a son, Bourne Jones, on June 29, 2009, in Toronto. A nephew for Sally OUGHTRED’89.
Darcy BETT to Douglas Snider on September 23, 2006, in the Town of Blue Mountains, ON.
1988
Christine GONSALVES to Chip Sa Gomes on June 6, 2009, in Trinidad.
1993
1987
Alwynne JEFFREY, a son, Russell, on February 6, 2006; a son, Simon, on August 9, 2008.
1992
Sarah CLAPPISON Claydon, a son, Samuel John, on June 1, 2009, in Toronto. A great-grandson for Helen SPENCER Hughes’36; a grandson for Lynn HUGHES Clappison’65; a nephew for Susie CLAPPISON’95.
Lisa GILBERT Keable, a son, Charles Byron, on July 16, 2009, in Toronto. A nephew for Stephanie GILBERT Flynn’88.
1995
Alissa BARTON-von Wersebe, a daughter, Beatrice Seja, on June 23, 2009, in Toronto.
Megan EARLE Harris, a daughter, Charlotte Alexandra, on March 19, 2009, in Waterloo. A niece for Katie EARLE Tyler’94.
Lindsay MACDONALD Zolis, a daughter, Laura Dianne, on September 14, 2009, in Toronto. A niece for Michelle MACDONALD’99.
1999
Robin BREBNER, a daughter, Leila, on May 25, 2009, in Toronto. A granddaughter for Mary ROBINSON Brebner’65; a niece for Katy BREBNER’03; a great-niece for Martha ROBINSON Butterfield’59; a first cousin once removed for Nathalie BUTTERFIELD’90.
Amy BROWN to Jeremy Bodden on February 26, 2009, in Toronto.
1995
Shelagh STURTRIDGE Paul, and son, Liam, born April 19, 2009.
1988
Suzanne McMEANS Settino, a daughter, Eva Mackenzie, on May 20, 2009, in Toronto.
1989
Sarah CHAPPLE, a daughter, Molly Sarah, on May 28, 2009, in Toronto. A granddaughter for Pamela HARDIE’59.
Erin GRIMES, a son, Hudson Grant, on June 19, 2009, in Toronto.
Kelly HATCH Cescon, a son, Andrew, on March 21, 2009, in Toronto. A nephew for Suzanne HATCH’03.
Martha RAHILLY, a son, Conrad Samuel, on July 4, 2009, in London, England. A grandson for Jean FRASER’66.
Dana POSTROZNY Mitchell, a son, Grayson William Charles, on August 10, 2009, in Toronto.
Meagan GENOVESE Wilson, a son, North Bradley Blaine, on August 31, 2008. A nephew for Jaclyn GENOVESE’03.
Faculty
Susie CLAPPISON to Neil Blair on May 23, 2009, in Toronto.
Jennifer PURVES, a daughter, Elizabeth Grace, on May 20, 2009, in Toronto.
Ivan Beeckmans, a son, Theo Duncan, on July 8, 2009, in Toronto.
1927
Flora FEATHERSTONHAUGH Deeks Strickland, in her 100th year, on April 19, 2009, in Toronto. Motherin-law of Julie JARVIS Deeks’55; grandmother of Adrienne DEEKS’83.
When Flora attended Branksome, it set the stage for her life through friendships with Sheila Playfair LEE McGillivray’27, the late Fran PLAYFAIR Jennison’25 and the late former Head Girl Christine AULD’27. Flora was married twice; first to George Campbell Deeks in 1930 and, after his death in 1964, to Bill Strickland in 1970. She had seven grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren. During her long and full life, Flora was President of the Women’s Auxilliary of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. She was Captain and President of the Ladies’ Section of the Toronto Golf Club. She was active in the Junior League, the Garden Club of Toronto, the Canadian Cancer Society, the United Way and Grace Church on-the-Hill.
1928
1927 – 2009
Dor was born in 1927. Her London youth was interrupted by a wartime evacuation to Canada in 1941. She boarded at Branksome, where she was influenced by the brilliant teaching of Miss Reader-Harris. At the tender age of 16, she enrolled at the University of Toronto to study her beloved English. Miss Read, Principal of Branksome, offered her housing in the residence in exchange for light duties.
Upon her return to England in 1944, she wanted a career as a newspaper writer, but her recently widowed mother insisted she train as a teacher to provide an assured income. A first job at her local grammar school followed, as did marriage, when Dor and I were both 21.
Dor found great fulfi llment in teaching English as well as raising her family. As a teacher, she directed plays, preferably by Shakespeare, helped to build up the school library, took particular interest in charitable fundraising, and organized theatre visits that often began with informal and hilarious teas in her garden. She was friendly, welcoming and hospitable and made delicious cakes, too. She was truthful and unselfi sh, and offered a view on how to live in a world where so often other values have priority.
Upon retirement, Dor gained an M.A. in Women’s Studies at Exeter University. She volunteered at two local primary schools, where she took delight in hearing the children read and in reading to them. She worked tirelessly for Amnesty and Christian Aid, and she and I regularly led the family on marches and demonstrations calling for nuclear disarmament. Just days before her death, Dor cycled 12 miles, then cooked a generous family dinner.
An avid environmentalist, she is buried in the green section of Seaton Cemetery in a coffi n made from Somerset withies.
— Excerpt taken from David Evan’s e-mail to the Alumnae Offi ce. Dor is also survived by four children and four granddaughters.
contagious sense of humour that lasted throughout her life. Mercie stimulated intellectual curiosity and shared her understanding of life as she mentored three generations of her family — for them, it is the end of an era.
— Excerpt taken from Mercie’s obituary
1934
1941
Mercie MOORE Verner, in her 99th year, on March 13, 2009, in Stouffville, ON.
Mercie was a lady of grace, courage and resilience. She enriched the lives of her family and friends with love, kindness, fun and a
1931
Lucille DUMARESQ Barrow, on January 8, 2009, in Ottawa.
Mary McLEAN Stewart, on April 15, 2009, in Vancouver. Sister of Amy McLEAN Stewart’31. Aunt of Carol McLEAN Gray’72.
Kathleen Arnold GOODERHAM Willoughby, in her 95th year, on July 27, 2009, in Toronto. Arnold leaves three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She and her husband Jack were great restaurateurs and loved to entertain in their many homes over the years. Arnold developed many long lasting friendships at Branksome Hall.
1940
Ruth STEVENS MacBeth, on April 26, 2009, in Toronto. Mother of Wendy MacBETH’69; aunt of Judith LOCKLEY Bodine’64 and Cynthia LOCKLEY’66.
Barbara DONOVAN Carver, on July 15, 2009, in Haliburton, ON.
Barbara ELLIOTT Robertson, on April 2, 2009, in Toronto. Mother of Rebecca ROBERTSON’68 and Mary Jane ROBERTSON’72.
1943
Doreen MARTIN Evans, on March 17, 2009, in Devon, England, eight days after attending a Branksome reunion luncheon in Bristol.
Elizabeth OSBOURNE Tytler, on February 27, 2009, in Toronto. Betty dedicated her life to her children. She loved gardening, art,
Pamela passed away after a long and fearless struggle with cancer. She was a rare and inspirational individual to those who had the good fortune of knowing her. She was born in Lima, Peru, and arrived in Canada at the age of 12.
The following is an excerpt taken from daughter Grace’s tribute to her mother at the memorial service.
My mother is now one of the brightest stars in the heavens. She had the hardest career in the world — being a mother and taking care of us, her four girls. Mother did a lot of volunteer work and was also a Sunday school teacher for teens at the Salvation Army. She loved camping and taught me to knit when I was nine. I would often accompany her to the pottery studio where she loved doing ceramics. She even learned sign language so she could better communicate with my sister Angela, and performed a Christmas skit playing the role of Rudolf in sign language. She has left her footprint in the sands of time.
August 6, 1944 – September 10, 2009
Excerpts taken, with permission, from Lyn’s obituary which ran in The Globe & Mail.
Smart, funny, creative, strong, loyal and brave — Lyn was all these and more. Lyn kept her battle with cancer private, but the few friends who knew provided wonderful support during her illness, and helped her celebrate her 65th birthday in August.
She had a great career, moving back and forth between public service and the private sector, working in public affairs, communications and program management. At the age of 50, she decided to add a writing career, using her lifelong interest in archeology to create a mystery series. The first of 11 novels, The Xibalba Murders, was published in 1997 and was nominated for an Arthur Ellis Award for best first crime novel in Canada. The eighth, The Magyar Venus, was nominated for an Ellis for best crime novel.
These books feature feisty heroine Lara McClintoch, who owns an antiques store in Lyn’s hometown of Toronto and travels the world for her business, solving murders along the way. Lyn managed to write and promote most of her novels during vacations, unpaid leaves and weekends. The books reflect her passion for heritage and culture, her sense of humour and her love of travel.
Lyn was Director of Public Affairs for the Canadian Opera Company. Before that, she was Director of the Cultural Programs Branch in the Ontario government. In her earlier days in the government, she worked on women’s issues and was particularly proud of a ground-breaking public awareness campaign on domestic violence.
She was involved in education and mentoring of new writers. Over the years, she worked with over 100 authors on their manuscripts. She taught a mystery and suspense writing course at the School for Continuing Studies at her alma mater, University of Toronto.
At Lyn’s request, there was no funeral service. Condolences may be posted at etouch.ca.
going to the symphony and summers in Muskoka. A member of the Crescent School Ladies’ Guild, she organized two highly successful fundraising art shows at the school. She was an intelligent and accomplished woman with a wonderful smile and sense of humour, and will be fondly remembered by her family and friends.
1947
Valerie BROWN Willard, on May 5, 2009, in Toronto.
1948
Carol SECORD Sparling, on April 11, 2009, in Oakville, ON.
1949
Jane THOMSON Morris, on June 6, 2009, in Toronto. Mother of Ann MORRIS McLean’72, Mary Jane MORRIS Tomashewski’79 and Sue MORRIS Johnston’83.
1952
Cynthia FIELD Forrester, on March 14, 2009, in Toronto.
Shirley MAIR Endean, on May 11, 2009, in Bountiful, Utah. Mother of Beth ENDEAN’85.
1955
Pamela HILL Bolton, on June 10, 2009, in Toronto. Mother of Grace BOLTON’80.
1963
Lyn HAMILTON, on September 10, 2009, in Toronto.
1965
Martha SMITH DeGruchy, on August 13, 2009, in Montreal.
1970
Anna BUNTING Simmonds, on April 9, 2009, in Toronto. Sister of Susan BUNTING’71.
1971
Sylvia MORAWETZ, on April 12, 2009, in Toronto. Sister of Sonja MORAWETZ’66, Virginia
MORAWETZ Coatsworth’73 and Kathryn MORAWETZ’77.
Sheila RAMSAY Cameron, on April 7, 2009, in Toronto. Mother of Christina CAMERON’07; sister of Chantal RAMSAY’74.
1979
Arden PATTERSON Boehm, on May 22, 2009, in Toronto.
2006
Jennifer MARTIN, on August 14, 2009, in Toronto.
We met Martha at Branksome in 1963. If you have ever seen the movie The Trouble With Angels, you would think we wrote the script. Our memories of Martha go back 46 years. It didn’t matter if it was months or even years since we had seen each other, we just kept talking and laughing. We made each other feel young again.
Martha had an infectious giggle, expressive eyes, a wonderful smile and beautiful blond hair. Martha’s eyes would shine and her voice seemed to sing when she spoke of her love of horses and her pets. Most of all, we remember how she spoke of her love for family and friends, and her beloved cottage on Lake Memphremagog.
Martha put up a hard, long fight and, in the end, asked to be taken off life support. We are thankful she is no longer in pain. She leaves her husband Donald and brother Alan. How we miss her.
— Brenda CRAM Armitage’66 and Karen SMITH-Fortin’66 Nanaimo, BC
Anna was born on May 10, 1951. At six months old, she was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy, and throughout her life she would struggle against the limitations of this condition. With an uncertain gait and almost no speech, she still charged ahead. She was headstrong, intelligent, fiercely affectionate, infuriating, vibrant and creative.
Anna was sent to the Junior League nursery school and then Sunnyview Public School. Both institutions specialized in accommodating and providing therapy for physically disabled children. While she benefited from the programs they provided, Anna just wanted to be treated like a normal kid. In 1965, my father persuaded Principal Jennie MacNeill to allow Anna to enter Branksome, where her intelligence, charm, sense of humour and determination won over her classmates, some of whom became lifelong friends.
Anna enrolled at Trinity College, U of T. Although she continued her studies at Trent University, she transferred her credits to Trinity, receiving a B.A. Anna met the love of her life, Marty Simmonds, in Peterborough. In 1984 they married and moved to Omemee, where Anna began bookkeeping for an environmental assessment company, a job she continued for several years.
In 1990, Anna endured surgery to fuse two vertebrae in her neck and was hospitalized for over a year. She gradually became more housebound and Marty became her primary caregiver. But as her physical world was shrinking, Anna became an enthusiastic web surfer, and took university courses online. The last few years were difficult. Family, friends and health care personnel visited her regularly in her new home in Fenelon Falls, and her pets were also a source of companionship. Anna died just before Easter, having touched the hearts of so many. She leaves her husband, our mother and brother, and many other family and friends. We will miss her.
— Susan BUNTING’71Arden passed away on the eve of our 30th reunion. It was the fi rst news we shared as we arrived at a pre-dinner get-together, and, as we looked through our graduating year SLOGAN for her pictures, we were reminded of what a kind, gentle, beautiful person she was.
Arden’s time at Branksome included 13 prefect installations, carol services and prize-givings, the kindergarten bird-watching club, black running shoes in Junior School, renovations to the Senior School and being able to walk home for lunch. At one of our reunions, when many were pregnant or dealing with toddlers, there was Arden in a gorgeous red dress looking absolutely stunning — the quiet girl from high school had emerged a confident, shining butterfl y.
Arden married David Boehm and had a successful career in the Canadian book publishing industry. Her warmth and kindness continued to grow and blossom through her adult life. She was a lovely warm friend with an enthusiastic sense of adventure and love for life. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear friend.
— With love from the Class of 1979
Arden loved life. She loved traveling, music, dancing and a great New Year’s Eve party. My tennis matches never prepared me enough for a night of dancing with her. Arden loved animals, especially our two Bernese Mountain Dogs. She loved going to our favourite lodge in the Huntsville area every February for her birthday weekend. Arden valued her friendships with her coworkers and customers — everyone was touched by her warmth and generous friendship. I miss her. She was the love of my life.
— Dave Boehm
Plaid Tidings
(see back cover for details)
The annual show of unique gifts and crafts
10 Elm Avenue
Friday, November 20
Saturday, November 21
Sunday, November 22 www.branksome.on.ca/ plaidtidings
Theatre Production
The Servant Of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni – a classical comedy inspired by Commedia dell’arte
Tuesday, November 24
Wednesday, November 25
Thursday, November 26 7 p.m.
The Allison Roach Performing Arts Centre Alumnae and their guests are welcome to attend.
To purchase tickets, please visit www.branksome.on.ca/ register/drama/.
Carol Service
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Sunday, December 6 3 p.m.
Alumnae, their families and friends are welcome to attend this enjoyable afternoon of music and song.
Young Alum Lunch and Holiday Assembly
(for the classes of 2006 - 2009)
Friday, December 18 11 a.m.
Holiday Assembly in the gym 12:30 p.m.
Lunch in the Eaton Common Room
This event is complimentary, however, to ensure adequate food and seating during assembly, RSVP by December 14, 2009 to events@branksome.on.ca, or at www.branksome.on.ca/ register/lunch.
An evening of culture and surprises. Look for details in the New Year!
Welcome to “READ ers Write Back” — a new section of The READ, where your comments will be heard. The editorial committee also looks to you for suggestions on future themes, as well as names of alumnae you think should be considered for special articles. Please write to Tanya Pimenoff, Associate Director of Alumnae Relations and Editor of The READ, 10 Elm Avenue, Toronto, ON M 4 W 1 N 4, or e-mail tpimenoff@branksome.on.ca.
you spelled it with the u) and Fun sections were “awesome” and I especially liked Joyce WALKER McKeough’56 putting $20 instead of $1 in the swearing jar. It really tickled my fancy.
Ann LLOYD Plummer’55 torontoI just finished reading The READ [Spring 2009, Humour and Fun] and wanted to congratulate you on quite a magazine. I got a good feel for how vibrant and exciting Branksome is today and continues to be. My goodness, I was lucky to spend 1955–60 there and have so many fond memories. The Humour (glad
I would just like to thank you for including stay-at-home mothers in the last READ [Spring 2009]. I love to read all the exciting things Branksome alumnae are up to around the world. It is truly inspiring. Being a stay-at-home mom of two wee ones, I feel touched that you included us among these women. We are all aiming to make a difference in the world. We just use different mediums. Keep up the great work.
Samantha STEWART Muir’95 toronto
I want to thank you for the best READ [Spring 2009]. I laughed and I shared some of [the stories] with educational colleagues. The picture of the Oxfords was excellent. I actually feel a little homesick. Hopefully, I can attend our 40th in two years. Thank you for your incredible insight to address humour as a necessary coping mechanism during these stressful times. My days at Branksome were filled with laughter and hijinks. . .well, most of the time.
Jill RAMSAY’71 san francisco, ca
Correction
Congratulations on The READ [Fall 2008, Proud Moments]. It is absolutely beautiful and full of interesting stories and great pictures. When it arrived, I immediately sat down on my front steps in the sunshine and enjoyed it. Bob came home and immediately got his nose into it. I couldn’t talk to him for over an hour. He kept saying, “Oh, you have so many interesting people at Branksome.” The magazine has captured what talented spirit there is in our beautiful alumnae and indeed in the whole school. I’m proud of Branksome.
Sally ADAMS Medland’66 torontoBranksome Hall Vision
To be the pre-eminent educational community of globally minded learners and leaders.
Branksome Hall Mission
Each day, we challenge and inspire girls to love learning and to shape a better world.
The Alumnae Association Mission Statement
We build and maintain alumnae relationships while raising funds in support of Branksome Hall’s mission and vision.
The READ Committee
Tanya Pimenoff, Editor
Julia Drake
Karen Murton
Photo Credits
Glenn Brown Alumnae, Staff and Friends of Branksome Hall
Design & Production
Atlanta Visual Communications Inc.
Branksome Hall
10 Elm Avenue
Toronto, ON M4W 1N4
Tel: 416-920-9741
Alumnae Executive 2009 – 2010
Allison ROACH’51 Honorary President
Jane CONNOR’84 President
Kathryn BULEYCHUK Champion’82
Suzie DINGWALL Williams’80
Devon DOMELLE Parsons’95
Barbara DUNLOP Mohammad’70
Tenley GIBSON’94
Sarah GRIFFITHS Savolaine’96
Carolyn HELBRONNER’79
Julie HERDE Matthews’86
Andrea LAWRENCE Gall’77
Lynda MALCOLMSON Mitchell’63
Dana POSTROZNY Mitchell’99
Sue STRAK Rosenblat’76
Carol SULLY Gulyas’67
Lois WAYMAN Brown’62
Maggs WEST Barrett’66
Ex-Officio
Lorraine Mellon
Karen Murton
Tanya Pimenoff
Donna Richardson
Nicole Thornburrow
Alumnae/Parents’ Associations Student Rep
Board of Governors 2009 – 2010
James R. Christie Chairman
Karen Murton, B.A., B.ED., M.ED. Principal
Wayne Barwise
Stephen Bebis
Raj Chandaria
John Chippindale
Beatrix Dart
Mark Gaskin
Kelly Gray
Mary LESSLIE Hallward’74
Larry Lowenstein
Scot Martin
Devon DOMELLE Parsons’95
Lynn Patterson
Bruce K. Robertson
Mary RUBY’76
Peter A. Singer Neysha SOODEEN’89
Jane CONNOR’84 President, Alumnae Association
Christine Harman President, Parents’ Association
Fax: 416-324-9990
www.branksome.on.ca
E-mail: tpimenoff@branksome.on.ca
The READ is published for the alumnae, parents, employees and friends of Branksome Hall.
Fall 2009, Volume 49, Number 2
Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40010445
The polybag containing this publication is made from recycled materials and is 100% biodegradable.
