Maryla, as she was known from childhood, lived her life from beginning to end with passion, energy and endless curiosity. She was a vibrant personality, who enjoyed deep and lasting friendships with her family, including her four much-loved grandchildren, and her many, many friends. A warm and outgoing person, she loved to share her lifelong interest in theatre, opera, music and literature, and also her great commitment to the arts community. She thought the world of all her friends and they of her. Her huge circle of caring friends was very evident during the months of her terminating illness.
She was born in Poland, but after the 1939-1945 War, her parents lived in England, where she studied law at the University of London, post-graduating at the University of Chicago, U.S.A. She moved to Montreal with her husband and their children in 1967, and in 1977 to Victoria. She taught at McGill University in Montreal, was a co-author of a history of Roslyn School in Westmount, and served on the board of Rogers Communications.
In Victoria, she played a major role in the aural history project of the UVIC. Faculty of Law and she was at once active as a volunteer supporting the community and the performing arts in the city. She was a leader in furthering the former Bastion Theatre and gave years of support and service to Pacific Opera Victoria, and its associated Foundation. She was a chair of the Victoria United Way, a chair of the Victoria Foundation, and a Vice-President of Pacific Opera Victoria. In January 2017, she was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her contribution to the arts.
She is survived by her husband, Donovan, to whom she was married for 57 years, their children Catherine (Christopher), Anne-Marie (James), and Alastair, and their grandchildren, Alexander, Claire, Jonah and Benjamin.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Douglas Care nursing facility in Victoria for the concern, care and attention they gave to Maryla.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
18 Responses
To dear Donovan and family…my heart is heavy just learning about Maryla’s passing. I was a lucky person, having Maryla’s friendship, support and encouragement through many arts and civic engagement sessions. We also shared cable industry work. Maryla was a wise and extremely capable person, blessed with a deep understanding of the human condition, and she radiated warmth and concern in all her work and volunteer pursuits. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. The world was much brighter and far more enlightened by Maryla’s presence in this world.
Dear Donovan and Family,
I was saddened to learn of Maryla’s passing.
I remember both of you so well from McGill, forty years ago. Indeed, we were just at the 40th year reunion in Montreal earlier this month.
Please accept my sympathies.
Best regards,
Michael Quigley
It was with great sorrow that we learnt of Maryla’s passing. We remember vivdily the first time we meet Maryla, Donovan and their children in the summer of 1965 in Saskatoon where they lived for a year during a sabbatical. We knew at once that she was someone who lived life to the full and enjoyed both family life and reaching out to others in the community. Since then we have have continued to marvel at her enthusiam and, in particular, her commitment to the furthering of the arts, to charitable causes and nurturing the history of Bench and Bar. We want to express our deepest condolences to Donovan and his family. Maryla will be sorely missed, but the presence of her life and work continues within the hearts and minds of the people whose lives she touched con brio, and the organizations whose interests she advanced so effectively.
Dear Anne-Marie & Catherine,
I am sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. She was always so welcoming and I loved seeing her huge smile – which of course, you each inherited. Please accept my condolences to you both, your Dad, Alastair & your families.
Warm regards,
Suromitra
We are very sorry to learn about Maryla. Although we did not see Maryla and Donovan frequently, we valued their friendship and encouragement. Our hearts grieve with you.
Marla and I are very saddened to learn of Maryla’s death and extend our sympathy to Donovan, his children and family. Although our times together were infrequent because of distance,
we were always in awe of her wide-ranging interests and charmed by her warmth and kindness.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
We are sorry to hear that Maryla has passed away. We remember her fondly, having been neighbours in Montreal and also a brief visit in Victoria. She had an interesting life and lives on in her children and grandchildren. Noel says “Maryla was a classy lady.”
Marie and Noel Lyon, Summerside, P.E.I.
Our condolences. She will be missed!
I have very happy memories of the many get togethers of the Waters, Fripps and Elbournes in Montreal. Maryla was very lovely – a warm smile, sharp focus and always articulate. I admired her. My condolences to you all.
I’m saddened at hearing the news that Maryla has passed away. I have always cherished my association with her through The Victoria Foundation. Her period as Chair laid the strong framework for what that institute has now became. She will be sorry missed.