Judy Joannou offers wisdom to home economists interested in a career in fashion. Her father, an executive in the fashion industry introduced her to sewing and fashion design which suited her creative spirit. She graduated from Cornell University, in Apparel Design and studied abroad at the London College of Fashion. This led to her dream: becoming a fashion designer in New York City. At 23 she was travelling the world.

Several years later she met and married a Canadian, settled in Ashton and established her home-based business on a dime. Judy created one-of-a kind vests made from discarded upholstery samples and vintage buttons purchased at a garage sale, before re-purposing was a trend! Home sewers assembled them for her. Then she travelled throughout Ontario and sold them to boutiques and through the craft show circuit. As the business grew so did her collection, noted for mix and match high end fashions which she had produced in Toronto. After 26 years of being on the road she opened her first retail store in Almonte and introduced other brands to her offerings. In the Spring of 2020, nudged by the pandemic's forced store closure she upgraded her website to a full online store and brought the shop to her customers with video fashion shows. She continues to run both her retail store and website https://www.judyjoannoudesigns.ca

Judy’s Wisdom 

• Find your passion-what you love doing 
• Figure out the steps to get the ideal job
• Don’t give up
• Feel failure
• Be curious 
• Be a team player
• Meditate every day
• Be calm to solve problems
• Be honourable and kind
• Give back to the community
• Business can start on a dime
• Engage a mentor, now

​Eleanor died peacefully on February 10, 2023 in her 94th year, with her family by her side.

Eleanor is lovingly remembered by her children Roxanne (Terry), Greg (Candy) and Andrea (Terry). She was the much loved grandmother of Jenna (Rich), Marley (Jason), Tamara (Matthew), Breanne, Alexandra (Justin), Ainsley (Ian), Scott (Towella) and Graham (Denise). Eleanor was the proud great grandmother of Clara, Mia, Penny, Isla, Carter, Nella and Emmett. She​
is survived by her dear sister Gertrude and her 6 nieces and nephew. Eleanor was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, James Carlson, her parents Lewis and Reta, and her siblings Lewis and Mary.

Eleanor was born on Oct. 16, 1928 in the historic town of Shelburne N.S. After graduating from Shelburne Regional High School she moved to Toronto where she received her Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto. She was thrilled to attend her 65th UofT reunion with her daughter Andrea. Eleanor also received her teaching certificate from the Ontario College of Education and her M.Sc. from the University of Manitoba.

Eleanor began her Home Economics teaching career in Kenora, Ontario. When Jim's military career brought them to Zweibrucken, Germany, she taught at 3 Wing. She completed her teaching career in Winnipeg, Manitoba at Grant Park High School where all three of her children attended. During that time, she co-wrote the Family Studies textbook This is the Life.

When Eleanor retired from teaching, she and Jim moved back to her family home in Shelburne. Jim and Eleanor were passionate world travelers who loved to entertain. She was a wonderful cook who combined her love of food and history to publish a cookbook entitled Loyalist Foods in Today's Recipes.

Eleanor became a certified genealogist and wrote several books tracing the roots of a variety of Nova Scotia families. She also edited the Lost Mariners of Shelburne County and co-authored the Veterans of Shelburne County. Eleanor was a founding president of the Shelburne County Genealogical Society.

Another passion of Eleanor's was rug hooking. One of her pictorial rugs of West Blanche was featured in A Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs IV and she has some pieces displayed in the NS Rug Hooking museum.

The family is grateful for the incredible care that Eleanor received at Ridgewood retirement home in Bridgewater.

If desired, donations to the Shelburne County Archives & Genealogical Society or the Shelburne Loyalist Food Bank would be gratefully received.

A celebration of Eleanor's life will take place on Sunday July 30, 2023 from Huskilson's Funeral Chapel, 58 Bulkley Street, Shelburne, N.S. Online messages of condolence may be made here.

Original obituary from legacy.com. 

Denese Read (nee Collinson) was born in Seeley's Bay, Ontario on November 7, 1929 and died in Toronto on April 28, 2023, with her family by her side. Denese was bright, beautiful, artistic, positive, resilient and adventurous, and had a lifelong love of learning. She left the family farm to attend McGill University, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science and Home Economics. After marrying the love of her life, William "Bill" Read, in 1955, she led a successful career as a dietician and later, as Chief Dietician at North York General Hospital. Denese enjoyed music, art, museums, live theatre, reading and playing bridge. She valued family above all, and her children, Paul and Andrea, will miss her unwavering love and pride in their accomplishments, however small. She will also be missed by Peter Polson, who was a great support in her later years; as well as her grandchildren, Claire Dawson, Sam and Charlie Read; her extended family, and the many friends she gathered along the way. After her husband's death in 1998, Denese travelled the world, mostly with her longtime friend, Alberta Aboud. She also visited California annually to spend time with her son, daughter-in-law, Catherine, and her grandkids. She always looked forward to visits with her relatives in Seeley's Bay and Joyceville, Ontario, as well. A private Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Seeley's Bay.

Original obituary was posted in Toronto Star on May 6, 2023.

Peacefully, in her 88th year, Christina Brown Wilson (nee Taylor), beloved wife of the late James. Cherished mother to Laura, Susan (Patrick), and Nancy (Alan). Adored and much-loved "Granny Chris" to Sarah, Matthew, Alexandra and Amanda. Dear sister to Doreen (Dennis). Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Christina was a proud Aberdonian. James and Christina spent many happy years at their home on The National Golf Club in Woodbridge, where they lived for nearly 50 years. They were proud members of the Board of Trade, where they played golf for over 30 years. While raising her three daughters, Christina went back to school to become a Professional Home Economist. She went on to pursue a career as a food stylist, where she travelled across the country and made numerous talk show appearances promoting Canadian produce. A lifelong volunteer, Christina devoted much of her time to helping others. She was a lover of British television, a voracious reader of true crime, an art admirer and a fitness enthusiast. Known for her wit, charm, sarcastic sense of humour and unfailing generosity. She was happiest when surrounded by her family with a cup of tea in hand. We will hold her in our hearts forever. Until we meet again. We love you, Mom. Donations can be made to Arthritis Society Canada. Arrangements entrusted to Ward Funeral Homes.

Original obituary was published in Toronto Star on May 6, 2023.

There was no ‘formal’ meeting of Ottawa HEA on March 21 st -World Home
Economics Day this year, instead members were encouraged to invite another Home Economist out for lunch to discuss current or past careers.
​

​A four-hour interactive Grow Ontario Food Summit hosted by the Hon. Lisa Thompson Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food (OMAFRA) was held on March 27, at Hart House, University of Toronto. OHEA was invited.

Diane O’Shea P.H.Ec. and Mary Carver, P.H.Ec. attended virtually on OHEA’s behalf, while Dr. Peggy O’Neil, P.H.Ec. attended in-person representing Brescia University College. A number of speakers made presentations, then intermittently the 260 (or so) attendees were divided into small breakout sessions (virtually and on-site) to add to the discussion.

What were Home Economists hoping to achieve by attending the provincial Food Summit?

To be heard, OHEA must be visible as a professional body and watchful of opportunities to speak to issues impacting families. The Summit was a rare chance to influence decisions at a government table set with like-minded others who support Ontario food production and food literacy on many levels.

As Professional Home Economists, we know the complexity of food. Many OHEA members work in a variety of businesses and organizations connected to the food system. Agriculture is a key component of Ontario's food system.

Strengthening the Agri-food supply chain is important to the present government while increasing Agri-food technology and attracting educated and skilled participants. The goals are admirable in establishing a trust in the quality and dependable supply of food and agricultural products produced in Ontario. Food Systems Literacy is a critical part of the process.

While the "business" of agriculture was forefront in the speaker presentations, breakout groups offered other conversations and further considerations that must be accounted for in government actions. Diane, Mary and Peggy were all able to discuss the need for improved food literacy at all levels.

Home Economists spoke up!

A take-away from the event: We encourage OHEA members to respond to OMAFRA's Red Tape Reduction Plan — please see here.

After the event, a follow-up letter was sent to the Hon. Lisa Thompson as our appreciation to be included in the summit.

​A professional logo is designed to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Ottawa Home Economics Association. Ottawa Members are encouraged to download this logo as part of their e-signature. To add this logo to your e-signature, right-click the image above and click "Save As" to your desired location in your computer. Then, upload the file to your email service's signature.

The Coalition for Healthy School Food & Food Literacy (Sustain Ontario) held an excellent one- hour meeting with MPP Matthew Rae on March 15, thanks to connections made by Diane O’Shea, P.H.Ec., who also expertly facilitated the meeting.

Rae is MPP for Perth/Wellington (Diane’s riding) and was Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Education Lecce, until March 10, when he moved to Municipal Affairs & Housing.

In attendance via Zoom were available members of the Coalition: Sarah Keyes (Project Manager, Sustain Ontario), Dr. Peggy O’Neil, P.H.Ec., (Brescia University College), Janet Nezon (Rainbow Foods), Andrew Fleet (Growing Chefs Ontario) Jacob Keary-Moreland (PhD candidate Lakehead U.), Alicia Martin, (PhD candidate – U. of Guelph), Diane O’Shea and Mary Carver (OHEA), Matthew Rae and his Administrative Assistant, Peter Bury.

The agenda included a brief history of our food literacy efforts, definitions and examples of food literacy in-action, and our commitment and passion for the topic. Also included were questions about next steps and whether Bill 216 can be revived after it lost its’ holding position when the government was prorogued pre-election. The Coalition’s goal is to find another MPP to champion Food Literacy after the retirement of MPP Daryl Kramp. We sensed good vibes from Mr. Rae who said, he’d “speak to Minister Lecce.” We await feedback and guidance.
 
Rae who is originally from a Listowel-area dairy farm, appeared on-board with the Coalition’s concern for more food literacy K-12; but we know we must keep our finger on this topic.

In March, out-of-the-blue, the government announced one mandated ‘Technology’ course effective in 2024 for all students to graduate from high school. Hospitality & Tourism is one Technology option, it does not, however, have the food literacy competencies we are seeking for all students to achieve a desirable quality of home and family life.

“At the meeting with Mr. Rae, I was able to clearly reinforce that a Tech Hospitality course does not possibly address food literacy as a grade 9/10 Food and Nutrition course would,” said Diane O'Shea B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., P.H.Ec., Family Studies Educator (Retired).

“The new Tech requirement could negatively impact current food literacy taught in Food & Nutrition and Grade 9 Family Studies (FS) courses. Hamilton Social Science heads are concerned about the possibility of fewer students opting for FS courses when a Tech option becomes mandatory. The result could be insufficient numbers to offer FS courses every semester. At my school, we had only 3 sections of the HFN course running this 22/23 year as is, ” said Camille Naranjit, OCT, P.H.Ec., OHEA President.

On March 27, Diane and Mary will attend a four-hour Food Forum Summit hosted by the Hon. Lisa Thompson, OMAFRA, via Zoom. Dr. Peggy O’Neil, P.H.Ec. will attend in-person at Queen’s Park. It’s important for OHEA to be a visible stake-holder and aware of government direction on food education. We remain dedicated to speak-up for Home Economists at every opportunity. Can we have success advocating for Food Literacy without a formal Bill?  We await the answer.

We do know that we are stronger together working with like-minded groups. Leadership at Sustain Ontario has been fantastic. Check out their new collaborative website of Teacher Resources:  https://foodisscience.ca/