MYRTLE LORIMER

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MYRTLE LORIMER On April 6, 2005 Myrtle I. Lorimer died in Coquitlam, BC from a cancer that confined her to bed in her last weeks. She did not suffer unduly and maintained her wry sense of humour almost until the end. She assured us all many times that she had led a long and happy life. Myrt was born May 20, 1912 in Regina to James Hamilton Moore, blacksmith, and Annie (Hunter) Moore, seamstress. She is survived by her husband Wes, whom she married in 1940, her children, James (publisher, Halifax), Rowland (professor, Vancouver) and Elizabeth (Betty; musician, Ottawa); her grandchildren, Eric and MifAnne Lorimer Bollman, Stefan, Conor, and Julia Lorimer and step-grandchildren, Lynn MacGregor, Wendy MacGregor Stordy and Bill MacGregor and her nephews and nieces. In her final years her nephew David Brown and his wife, Marsha, were most kind and nurturing. In early adulthood, Myrt acquired a specialist certificate for teaching kindergarten and began her professional career in Regina. However she was forced to give up teaching by a Regina School Board policy forbidding the employment of married women. She briefly returned to teaching kindergarten in Moose Jaw and then again in her 1980s and 1990s at Maple Leaf Estates in Florida, teaching music theory to seniors. Myrtle and Wes moved their family to Winnipeg in 1949 and Myrt became active in many community organizations as a board member, board chair, and president. Her volunteer work included the Children's Home, the Fort Garry Library, the Winnipeg Library, and, perhaps her greatest love, the International Music Camp at the Peace Garden where she was involved for 45 years, many years as a board member, some as president. She was instrumental in establishing the Manitoba Committee, a group of nine Canadians who, with nine Americans, operate the music camp. She recognized as a Woman of Distinction in 1984 by the Winnipeg YWCA/YMCA, by the Mayor of Winnipeg for her service to the city, and by the International Music Camp. We will remember Myrt's social grace and acumen, her sense of justice, her love of music and art, her avid card playing, her feistiness, her love, warmth, and conspiratorial delight, and her devotion to providing opportunities for her family and others. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John's College Chapel at the University of Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Music Camp, care of #9 - 270 Roslyn Rd., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0H3, Crossroads Hospice, P.O. Box 1072, Coquitlam, BC V3J 6Z4, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 11, 2005