Daphne Elizabeth Lingwood (nee Stollmeyer) passed away on June 12, 2012 at St. Charles Manor, Victoria, BC in her 95th year. She was born in Trinidad, the sixth child of Albert Victor and Ada Kate Stollmeyer and came to Canada at the age of 18. Daphne married Don Lingwood in 1941 and they moved to the Caledon Hills in 1945, where she lived until 2010.
Daphne’s seventy year artistic career started by teaching crafts at the Montreal YMCA and working with Arthur Lismer in the Museum of Fine Arts’ children’s art program. In the late 1940’s she turned her creative mind to designing leather costume jewelry. Her innovative ‘by Daphne’ line of jewelry was sold across North America. Daphne would not have thought of herself as a pioneering businesswoman, but she was, operating a wholesale and a retail business for 50 years. This business continues today under the direction of her friends and colleagues Joan Donnelly, Cheryl Carruthers and Joanne Kitto. In the late 1950’s Daphne founded Caledon Arts and Crafts for Youth (CACY) to raise money for young people’s programs and to showcase the region’s artists and crafts people. At the time, it was a groundbreaking idea, one that was repeated by communities throughout Ontario. In 2007, Daphne was inducted into the Caledon Walk of Fame, on the Trans Canada Trail, in Caledon East, for her lifetime of achievement in the arts.
Daphne is survived by her sons, Rex and Robert and daughters in law, Wendy and Aileen; her grandsons, Jeffrey (Marissa), Allan (Katherine) and David and great granddaughter, Sophia. She was predeceased by Don (1975) and by her six brothers, Rex, Alex, Andre, Hugh, Victor and Jeffrey. She maintained close contacts with her brothers and their families in Trinidad and elsewhere and was a much beloved ‘Auntie Daph’ to her nieces, her nephews and their children. She had a great gift for friendship and as a consequence, had many close friends throughout all generations.
Daphne was an innovator, creator, naturalist and quiet leader, whose strength of character, passion for living and empathy for others was admired by all who knew her. She was greatly loved and will always be remembered for a life well lived.
A memorial will be held in Caledon this September. In lieu of flowers or donations, please buy a piece of art for a loved one. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Amanda Sciberras
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Mildred and Verral Gillespie Hi Rex, Robt. and families:
Please accept our deepest sympathies on Daphne’s passing. She lived a long and admirable life and spread her talents so generously throughout our community. Long-time residents have fond reminders of her leather creations and other art work– not to mention the still-on-going gifts to Caledon East in CACY etc.
Would be nice to have a visit with both of you “boys” as well as your families.
Sincerely: Mildred & Verral
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Rosemary Grant Dear Rex and Robert
Forgive my delay in getting this note off to you. I was so saddened to read of your Mother’s death in the Globe and send my deepest sympathy to you all…. including Wendy and Aileen, and the grands.I’ve thought of Daph so often as I drive past her home in Caledon East and remember all the wonderful visits with her. Such a joy this was with walks along the trail and spending time there. She brought such pleasure to all her ‘clients’ and friends in sharing the knowledge of her art and displaying her tremendous skill… and use of colour.
I shall treasure the pieces that I have and wear them with fond memories of our friendship.We also enjoyed all the Trinidad contacts we shared and would often recall stories in West Inidan lingo, which brought much laughter! I knew Jeff (and later Sarah) during my early years in Trinidad and also got to know Cathy on later visits.
I met Daphne, quite by chance in the ’80s and we became instant friends and felt we had known each other for ever. She was such a lovely lady and so interested in everything around her and in her many friends. I especially enjoyed working with her in organizing the Studio Tours of her Studio and those of other artists in the Caledon area. I have taken many visitors to see her name on the Walk of Fame. That was a wonderful occasion and a justly rewarded honour for her.
I trust that the end came easily for her. As the West Indian saying goes: She had a good innings, man! And so she did, while giving pleasure to so many.
I shall look forward to seeing you in September at her Memorial gathering. Again, my sympathy and love to you all.
Rosemary
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Debbie Schaefer I have such rich wonderful memories of visits to Daphne’s on the Airport Road in the 80’s. A trip to her little piece of paradise was a real treat; many trips were made to find the right piece of jewellery for a new outfit or to find the right gift for friends. The jewellery was simply the artefact of the visit; the real pleasure was the time spent with Daphne. She was so generous sharing her experiences and her ideas. She just glowed with the the joy of life, creating and involving others in her life.
I never fully understood how she worked with the various women to whom she taught her craft but it was evident that they loved the teacher/student experience.
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I must close with the comment that her art, her craft was truly superior. There was no question if a boutique had her work or the work of others attempting but failing to create the beauty of a flower. Her art is and was truly exceptional.I can only imagine the hole her death has left in her family and circle of friends; but I also can imagine the rich treasure of memories you all have.
Debbie Schaefer
It was a privilege to meet such a wonderful woman!