Stories

Taylor, Eileen #309 *

Honoured by her family.

Eileen Margaret Driver Taylor was born in Thessalon, Ontario to James and Suzanna Driver on February 18, 1925.

One of six children, Eileen was raised in Thessalon and in 1947 met and married William Ewart Gladstone Taylor.

The City of North Bay has been a wonderful environment in which Eileen and Glad raised their four children – Jim, Gerry, Judy and Doug.

Eileen is blessed with eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

We are all blessed to know the love of such a wonderful woman, mother, grandmother and great grandmother in Eileen Taylor.

On February 18, 2015, we are all thrilled to celebrate with Eileen her 90th birthday.  Love you!!

Campbell, Keith #1977 *

Keith Campbell

Honoured by CBACH (Coordinating Body Arts Culture Heritage) with a Lifetime Achievement in Arts Award 2014.

Keith Campbell has been described as positive, energetic, forceful and resourceful in the way he goes about getting things to happen. As a driving force in the arts he has helped to build and develop the arts and culture community since 1977. Keith is a founding member of the WKP Kennedy Gallery and the White Water Gallery. He was a professor at Canadore College in the Crafts and Design Program whose graduates from that program went on to open craft studios, develop the North Bay Art & Craft Co-op and the blooming craft market. North Bay has always been the center for craft in North Eastern Ontario because of Canadore Colleges Crafts and Design Program and the Summer School of the Arts: Artsperience.

Keith was one of a handful of artists that advised Canadore College to start a Summer School of the Arts that drew instructors and students from around the world. The summer school was called “Artsperience” that had a free evening “Art Talk” series so that the North Bay Community as well as the summer school could experience more arts and culture. Keith was the director of this incredible school for 25 years. Keith, with his positive dynamic personality, was able to talk such artists as Ken Danby, Robert Bateman, David Blackwood, Patterson Ewen, Greg Curnoe, Ted Fullerton, Lynn Johnston, Joy Kagawa, Anne Michaels, Al Purdy, Susan Warner Keene, Ed Eng, David Lewis, and others into being part of this fabulous experience.

He has arranged for a number of provincial Conferences in Clay to be held in North Bay as well as exhibitions. At present he is the President of the North Bay and Area Potters Guild. He has always led by example as a model of a successful creative artist working with his community. As a professional craftsperson he has exhibited his work in over 280 exhibitions nationally and internationally with 56 awards/honours bestowed on him to date. These honours include induction into the Niagara Falls Arts & Culture Wall of Fame, the John and Barbara Mather Medal Award for Lifetime Achievement, awarded the 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada Medal, the title of “Elder” by Fusion: The Clay and Glass Association of Ontario, honoured by Canadore College with the title “Artist in Residence Emeritus” as well as twice being a finalist in the Premier’s Award of Excellence in the Arts in 2010 & 2014. His works are in numerous collections including the Archives of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, the Nickle Arts Museum, etc. Keith’s works are included in 27 texts and he has conducted 50 workshops/lectures across Canada during his career of 44 years as a professional artist.

Willoughby, Shirley M. #528 *

 

Shirley M. Willoughby

Honoured by Robert (Bob) Becksted

The Willoughby family initially moved to North Bay from London Ontario. They formed a family musical group called the Will-o-bees including Bryce, Mildred, Shirley & Harold who entertained at northern Ontario military bases during WWII. Shirley became a subsequent Snow Queen of the North Bay Winter Carnival when she won a trip to Nassau, Bahamas.  She was also the female vocalist in a major orchestra of North Bay that played at a great dance hall.  A North Bay radio featured Shirley as a single vocalist heard in all of Ontario. She also made popular records and performed in stage musical acts at NBCI & VS. In 1946 Shirley moved to London, Ontario and lived with her grandmother. Subsequently, Shirley & Bob Becksted married in North Bay during 1952, thereafter moving to London Ontario. They later moved to Etobicoke of Metro Toronto where their children Karen & Scott were born. Eventually family property was purchased on Trout Lake in the North Bay area that has accommodated four family generations.

Norrena, Louise #852 *

Honoured by James Norrena

Louise Genevieve Norrena (August 18 1952 to September 29 2011)

Louise was a sweet and caring soul who looked for happiness in every moment of her life, even while dealing with cancer these past seven years.  Pre-deceased by her parents Mauno (Ed) Norrena and Toni (nee Antoinette Colbourne), Louise is survived by her beloved son Justin of Alberta, her five brothers and their families:  Ed (Maura) of Ottawa, Karl (Chris) of Alberta, Larry (Dorothy) of Orillia, James (Sandra) of North Bay and Dan (Joanne) of Barrie.  Louise is also survived by extended family and friends everywhere; there are too many to list by name, but all played an important role in her life and were cherished by her.  Louise radiated joy and warmth; she will live forever in the loving memories of all who knew her.  Louise has appreciated the care provided to her by family physician Dr. Graham, primary oncologist Dr. Cano (and radiation oncologist Dr. Pritchard) at the North Eastern Regional Cancer Centre and their nursing teams in Sudbury and in North Bay, the hard-working medical staff at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (particularly in the chemo unit and ER), Zeller’s Pharmacy, CCAC / VON at home and, for the last few days of her life, Dr. Rivet and the dedicated team of nurses in the Palliative Care wing of the North Bay Regional Hospital.  According to her wishes, Louise will be cremated with no visitation or funeral. Close family and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Louise’s life at the Moon Cafe (318 Main Street in her hometown of Mattawa) from 2-4 on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

Wallace, Gerald #250

Honoured by James D Wallace

Thank you for honouring Gerald Wallace with a Leaf of Inspiration.  Story to follow.