 RUSCICA, AUDREY MARGARET (nee FINCH) January 20, 1933 – August 14, 2022 Passed away at home in her 90th year. Sam, Audrey's beloved husband of over 60 years predeceased Audrey, or Aud, as he always called her, by four months. It's nice to think of them together again. Audrey is survived by, and will be deeply missed by, son, Chris (Tina); daughter, Lesley; grandson, Adam (Zeinab); and sisters-in-law, Joan (Art), Karen; and many nieces and nephews. Audrey was predeceased by her brothers, Donald (Robina) and Beverly. Audrey was born to the late Eardley and Anna (nee Davies) Finch on January 20, 1933, in Dorchester Township, Ontario, where she grew up on the family farm. Audrey graduated from Branksome Hall in Toronto and then went on to obtain her diploma in Home Economics from the Macdonald Institute, Ontario Agricultural College, and was later awarded an Honorary Companion of the University of Guelph. Audrey always had a book on the go and carried one with her wherever she went. Audrey turned her love of books into a career when she returned to school at Seneca College to earn her Library Techniques diploma which she put to good use working very happily for the Toronto Public Library at several Toronto branches. Audrey had many hobbies and was an avid quilter and knitter as those who were lucky enough to receive a beautifully crafted quilt or a hand-knitted pair of socks can attest. Several beautiful samples of Audrey's quilts are hanging at home and the cottage, where many happy times were spent with family and friends. Audrey also enjoyed nothing more than a good British television show and was a Corrie fan for over 50 years. Audrey, loving wife to Sam, and devoted and caring mom to Chris and Lesley, as well as all of the family's beloved dogs over the years, will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Visitation will take place at the Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, ON, M1K 1R1 on Saturday, August 20, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. If desired, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Audrey to the Toronto Public Library Foundation https://tplfoundation.ca.
0 Comments
 On July 13, Statistics Canada released data and analyses from the 2021 Census on families, households, and marital status. This highly anticipated release provides Canadians with its first updated portrait of family households during the pandemic and is the agency’s first to report on the gender diversity of couples in Canada. This release includes information on family structure, marital status, living arrangements, foster children, couples with and without children, and a variety of other topics related to family households across the country. HIGHLIGHTS:
For more information, visit Statistics Canada by clicking here.
These two women, Grace Labbe’ and Anne Burns-one led me to Home Economics, the other made me want to stay and make a difference. Grace Labbe’ was my Grade Ten (1965) Home Ec teacher in Ottawa at Notre Dame High School. Until her death notice of July 2022, I had no idea where she was. She was not in the OHEA archives, but I did know she graduated from St Francis Xavier. She was young and beautiful and could sew. She told her young students she had decorated her dorm room in white. It was work but she loved it. Right then and there I decided to become a Home Economist. My Mum encouraged me because she was Halifax born and my grandmother had a friend who graduated from Mount St Vincent, Mrs. Ethel Boyd. Her tea sandwich protocol I still follow. I wrote a note to Paule Labbe’, Mrs. Labbe’s daughter, to let her know and I met Paule at the funeral. I cried; she was gracious. Anne Burns, Aunt to Elizabeth Larmond-Elliot (Ottawa Home Economics) gave me my first Home Economics job, working at Health Canada, on her book-The Canadian Mother and Child. What a summer (1972), I learned much, is a vast understatement and I made a forever friend. She had graduated from Mount St Vincent in Halifax and became fast friends with my parents, Kae and Butch Boucher. I bet my Dad’s raspberry bushes still grow near her cottage property on the Gatineau River. She and Helen Sackville opened the door to emergency feeding in Canada and Anne spoke to Elizabeth to help me on my fourth-year research project on Canola. Anne also led me to contribute through the Government of Canada. I retired from government after 35 years. Anne’s honesty and integrity were part of that. Thank you both—I wish every home economics/dietetic student in Canada the privilege to know such people. I try to pass the torch.
 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Sheila Elizabeth Anne O’Sullivan on July 4, 2022, at the age of 79. Sheila will be forever cherished and missed by her daughters Andrea Winarski (Ken) and Laura Pollnow (Matt), her sister Maureen Downie, her beloved grandchildren Liam, Aidan and Ava Fowler and Sean and Evelyn Pollnow, her nephews Matt and Ryan Downie (Heather), her great nephews, Owen and Sullivan and our Aunt Linda Dallman. Sheila is predeceased by her brother-in-law Bruce Downie. Sheila was born in Niagara Falls on Jan 9, 1943 to Gertrude O’Sullivan (née Carlise) and John O’Sullivan. She graduated with Honours from Mimico High School in 1962, and was awarded a scholarship from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1966 she graduated from The University of Toronto with a BSc. She earned a Masters Of Education from The University of Toronto in 1987.
Sheila was a life long learner and passionate teacher. She earned her Honours Specialist in Home Economics, Science and Special Education and completed the Principal’s Qualification Program. She taught at Leaside Secondary School and then East York Collegiate, as Head of Science, until her retirement in 2003. Sheila was an avid speed reader and competitive duplicate bridge player. She loved cryptic crosswords, jigsaw and Mensa puzzles. She was certified by the RCM in Grade 10 piano. Sheila will be remembered for her acute intelligence, her strength of character, her steadfast friendships, her pragmatic nature and her unwavering devotion to her grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Friday September 30 from 3:00 to 5:00pm at Cedar Brae Golf Club, 55 Mac Frost Way, Scarborough, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations to MSH would be appreciated by the family. OHEA welcomes new student member Jodine Romanuk. Read about Jodine's biography below.  Jodine Romanuk Born and raised in Kamloops, BC, Jodine loved playing sports which enabled her to attend university in the US to obtain an Associate’s degree in Accounting. Moving back to Canada, she immediately relocated to Calgary, AB and spent the next 12 years there working in different industries from food and beverage, golf and fitness, and corporate in oil and gas and human resources.
She met her husband in Calgary and started their young family in Alberta before moving to her husband’s hometown of London, ON in 2014. She has been a stay-at-home mom to her three children (9,8, and 6 years old) since the first was born. While experiencing postpartum depression with her third baby, she attended a PPD group at a local social services center and loved what the two facilitators were doing to help moms experiencing mental health issues. This intrigued her enough to start looking for higher education programs that work with families and mental health. What she found was the Human Ecology program in Family Studies and Human Development at Brescia University and started taking courses whenever it fit into her family life. She loved the Parenting and Close Relationships courses as she was able to apply her new knowledge right away. What she eventually realized is that being a stay-at-home mom utilized all the skills that are found in the Home Economics/Human Ecology stream and how valuable they are to the family and society. While still open to possibilities to what may come after completing her degree at the end of 2022, she is considering her second career options in the education, personal finance or mental health areas. Welcome new Registered Member, Abigail Scott. You can read Abigail's assignment for the Self Study Professional Course here and her biography below. Abigail is an alumna of both the University of Guelph and Fanshawe College, having completed the BASc - Applied Human Nutrition program and the Agri-Business Management program, respectively. She currently works as a Customer Service Coordinator, and is transitioning next month to a new job at a small business that prepares a variety of homemade meals. In her spare time, she loves to crochet, read, and collect cookbooks. The star cookbook of the collection is the 1952 Good Housekeeping complete suite of 20 mini cookbooks. She also loves to cook and bake, regularly experimenting with new recipes and techniques. She lives on a farm with her partner, their Australian Shepherd “Peaches”, and many cows.
In 2018, Cathy assisted June Matthews and presented a leadership workshop at Brescia College. Cathy says that passing the torch to future Home Economists defines who she is as a Home Economist.
During the Pandemic in 2020, OHEA went into partnership with Bell Media and participated in the Care for the Caregivers Campaign. Cathy volunteered to head up a committee for a Care for the Caregivers page on the OHEA website. Members were invited to contribute articles and Cathy edited the submissions. In 2021 Cathy felt very strongly about updating the Online Professional Practice Course by modernizing the content, making it more interactive and creating less responsibility for the mentor. She set out to find a content specialist and an educational designer. She also relentlessly pursued the Canadian Home Economics Foundation to procure a grant to cover expenses for the course. Her dream is to unite the provincial associations with the Course as a focal point. Recently, in 2021 Cathy worked with Brooke McLean, VP of Social Media to write a Communications Policy for OHEA.
in the food styling, recipe testing, and creation area. Since that time, she has been a member who has volunteered with OHEA, OHEIB, and THEA, considerably. She was highly involved also by participating in and helping organize many meetings. Camille Naranjit had the pleasure of working with her in the Kraft kitchens whereby she contributed by testing many recipes for OHEA's best-selling cookbook. The last time Camille saw her was at the Toronto Farm Tour in 2016.
At times she was THEA's and OHEA's unofficial photographer who took photos of events and then shared her photos with OHEA for the archives. Most importantly, she was an incredible person who encouraged, mentored, and helped many younger members get into the freelance home economics profession; in particular, food recipe testing, food demonstration, food styling, and recipe development. She was generous in sharing her contacts and time, always. Many OHEA members would agree that this founding member deserves this award for all of her involvement.
Opzoomer; and mother-in-law to Mark Opzoomer. Chris was born in Markham, Ontario in 1932, daughter of the late John and Mary Robb. Chris had three sisters, Marilyn Pardon (predeceased) Joanne Willoughby-Ray (predeceased), Myrna Robb (Greg Ludlow); and many admiring nieces and nephews. Chris was a true leader, sportswoman, gracious hostess, curious about the world, and true friend to many. She loved life and lived it fully with many accomplishments.
From a young age, she was passionate about figure skating, competed provincially for the Granite Club and became an Ontario judge. Following graduation from Markham District High School as an Ontario scholar, she attended University of Guelph in the 4-year Home Economic course where she continued her affiliation as a member of the Alumni, and later joined the board of directors of University of Guelph. Chris met her husband, Donald, then in 3rd year law at Osgoode Hall ,in the spring of 1956 and were married the same year. Chris continued with her career in home economics field with Swift Canada as a 'Martha Logan' conducting cooking schools throughout Canada, one of her more celebrated being working with Madame Benoit where they performed to packed houses at the Montreal Forum. Following the birth of their children, Chris moved to freelance Television and radio work in home economics as well as teaching. She was a devoted mother and actively engaged in community activities and became president of the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. Chris battled and was an early survivor of breast cancer. Her leadership skills were acknowledged in her many activities at the Toronto Granite Club, where she was invited to join the Board of Directors, eventually becoming President in 1994. Chris and Don demonstrated true partnership in all their life activities. They enjoyed an active life including downhill skiing, golf, and travelling the globe for many adventures. They were founding members of the Hidden Valley ski club and later joined the Craigleith ski club in Collingwood. In the summer they escaped to their beloved cottage (Sanctuary) on Lake Rosseau where they were active participants at the Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club. Chris became ladies golf captain, won many trophies, and initiated the annual ladies golf camp still held to this day. On rainy golf camp days, she was famous for providing participants with 'some liquid sunshine' in their coffee—She was great fun! Chris will be greatly missed but remembered lovingly by her husband and family and by countless others who knew and associated with Chris during her active 89 years of life. A private service has been held and a Celebration of Life will take place this summer. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Collingwood General and Marine Hospital who tried valiantly to assist Chris after a fall in mid-May. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Temagami Community Foundation directed to The Robb Hindson Memorable Fund, or the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. Friends may visit Chris' online Book of Memories at http://www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com Originally posted on Toronto Star—click here for the original post. |
The Ontario Home Economics Association, a self-regulating body of professional Home Economists, promotes high professional standards among its members so that they may assist families and individuals to achieve and maintain a desirable quality of life. Categories
All
Archives
February 2023
|
RSS Feed
|
Subscribe to our mailing list
|
|
Unsubscribe from our mailing list
|
Copyright © 2023 Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA). All Rights Reserved.