Obituary of Anne McPherson

Catharine Anne McPherson, M.A., O.N. (born McCordick) January 10/1932-August 18/2022

Mom, Annie, Doggie Mom passed peacefully at Niagara Health on August 18th.
Anne is survived by her husband, Robert John William McPherson and children, Iain McPherson (Carla Cesaroni), Andrew McPherson (Heather MacRae, Harmony Kingsbury) and Sarah McPherson (David Lawson, Stuart Lawson, John Lawson, Crystal Brogan). Anne was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, the daughter of Helen McCordick (nee Smith) and Col. Frank McCordick.

            The magnitude and breadth of Anne's personal and professional interests is testament to her abiding love of artistic expression, intellectual and humanistic curiosity and the richness she found in global travel and cultural diversity.

            As a recent graduate of Trinity College (University of Toronto) in the late 50's, Anne used her prodigious talent as a writer to join the recently launched MacLeans Magazine, after which she began her lifelong commitment to the education and enrichment of others. She taught literature and sociology at Brock University in the mid-60's and dove headlong into her passion for theology. Transitioning to McMaster University in the mid-70's, Anne continued her teaching responsibilities while completing a Masters Degree, shortly after which she accepted the position of Headmistress at St. Margaret's School in Elora, Ontario. What follows is a head spinning array of ambitious and deeply personal projects and collaborations. Anne was commissioned to write the libretto for contemporary opera, Florence: The Lady with the Lamp, curated the first North American exhibition of Joan Miro's ceramics, was editor of Ontario Craft Magazine, studied ceramic repair, studied pipe organ with renowned Austrian teacher Anton Heiller, published four works of fiction and non-fiction, was a recipient of the Order of Niagara, became Artistic Director of Primavera Concert Series for small ensemble classical music and completed her most recent novel, The Pearls, at the age of 90. And her love and profound connection to cats is the stuff of legend. In all of these diverse interests, Anne steadfastly amplified the feminist voice, working assiduously to empower her fellow women wherever they could be nurtured and celebrated.

            Mediocre is a word that seldom fell from her lips. She led a life in which curiosity was a master key to the world's fertile possibilities and true grace. She loved people, their histories and their stories, possessed an insatiable appetite for expression whether it be musical, artistic, literary, performance or the natural world; and she cherished and revelled in the lives of her three children. Her greatest triumph however, would be the co-creation of an almost archetypal, loving and transcendent partnership of 65 years to her husband Bob – a generous and lifelong expression of love and mutual respect.

            You are welcome to join us in celebration of Anne's magnificent life at St. Thomas Anglican Church, 99 Ontario St, St. Catharines, Saturday August 27/2022 at 2pm. Masks requested where possible and a joyful colourful dress is most welcome and encouraged. Reception to follow at the church. With thanks from Bob, Iain, Sarah and Andrew.
 

Donations graciously accepted to St. Thomas Anglican Church or Doctors Without Borders.

Link for Live Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZZmmBrjpSY