Obituary for Emily "Myra" Clowes
Clowes, Emily “Myra”
Died suddenly on January 5, 2021 at her home at Villagia in the Glebe, Ottawa at the age of 91.
Myra leaves behind relatives in both Canada and the US, including: Marilynne Mark and her family (British Columbia), Karen Yacos (Vermont, US), Darby Ferguson (Georgia, US) and their families, The Dickson-Otty Family (British Columbia) including Barbara, George “Butch” and his children, and Connie, and Judy Wawro (Connecticut, US) and her family. Myra also had many friends in Ottawa, including long-time friend and colleague, Kathryn Mikoski, who was especially helpful in Myra’s final year of health challenges.
After obtaining a degree in Library Science from McGill University, Myra worked for many years as a professional librarian in the Public Service, most of her career at the National Library of Canada (now Library and Archives Canada). After retirement Myra devoted several decades to volunteer work with the Red Cross, Oxfam, The Canadian Library Association, The National Gallery of Canada and with her church, St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Ottawa. Myra was a devoted member of her church, serving in various capacities since moving to Ottawa in the 1960’s.
Music, theatre, and art were important to Myra. As a choir member she was an enthusiastic supporter of her church’s pipe organ restoration work. She continued her love of music with loyal attendance at the Ottawa Chamber Festivals since their inception and National Arts Centre Orchestra concerts until very recently. She had subscriptions to both the Ottawa Little Theatre and the National Arts Centre Theatre and visited Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake for the Shaw festival on a regular basis. Myra was a great traveller going to China and many countries in Europe, Britain, and the Middle East. She had a wonderful time doing volunteer work in the land of the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. But her favourite trip was to Newfoundland taken each summer for many years. Myra loved going out for tea and so it was appropriate that her 90th birthday was celebrated at the Chateau Laurier.
Myra was well liked and will be missed by her many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Even her bank teller referred to her as “our dear angel”. Thanks to Sue Lankford and the staff at Villagia in the Glebe for their support and assistance to Myra during the last months of her life.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 154 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice
Died suddenly on January 5, 2021 at her home at Villagia in the Glebe, Ottawa at the age of 91.
Myra leaves behind relatives in both Canada and the US, including: Marilynne Mark and her family (British Columbia), Karen Yacos (Vermont, US), Darby Ferguson (Georgia, US) and their families, The Dickson-Otty Family (British Columbia) including Barbara, George “Butch” and his children, and Connie, and Judy Wawro (Connecticut, US) and her family. Myra also had many friends in Ottawa, including long-time friend and colleague, Kathryn Mikoski, who was especially helpful in Myra’s final year of health challenges.
After obtaining a degree in Library Science from McGill University, Myra worked for many years as a professional librarian in the Public Service, most of her career at the National Library of Canada (now Library and Archives Canada). After retirement Myra devoted several decades to volunteer work with the Red Cross, Oxfam, The Canadian Library Association, The National Gallery of Canada and with her church, St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Ottawa. Myra was a devoted member of her church, serving in various capacities since moving to Ottawa in the 1960’s.
Music, theatre, and art were important to Myra. As a choir member she was an enthusiastic supporter of her church’s pipe organ restoration work. She continued her love of music with loyal attendance at the Ottawa Chamber Festivals since their inception and National Arts Centre Orchestra concerts until very recently. She had subscriptions to both the Ottawa Little Theatre and the National Arts Centre Theatre and visited Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake for the Shaw festival on a regular basis. Myra was a great traveller going to China and many countries in Europe, Britain, and the Middle East. She had a wonderful time doing volunteer work in the land of the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. But her favourite trip was to Newfoundland taken each summer for many years. Myra loved going out for tea and so it was appropriate that her 90th birthday was celebrated at the Chateau Laurier.
Myra was well liked and will be missed by her many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Even her bank teller referred to her as “our dear angel”. Thanks to Sue Lankford and the staff at Villagia in the Glebe for their support and assistance to Myra during the last months of her life.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 154 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice