Friends who have passed on…

Remembering: Nancy Elizabeth Barrett

On January 28th, several members attended the memorial service honouring NANCY ELIZABETH BARRETT, a Founding Member of EAG. Nancy was in her 92nd year. She died on December 24, 2007 at Christie Gardensin Toronto with family by her side. She died as she had lived, with a quiet strength and grace. Nancy was predeceased by husband Franklin. She leaves her children David, Susan Holder (Greig) and Elizabeth Lines (Rob), and granddaughters Lisa, Amanda, Alison and Julie. 

Blessed with a creative soul and a sweet heart, Nancy was remembered as devoted wife, wise mother, gentle ‘Nanny’ and lifelong student of art who pursued her passion through both The Etobicoke Art Group (EAG) and the (then) Ontario College of Art into her late 70s. She was also committed to the EAG as a vital community presence and assumed a number of volunteer roles over the years, including that of President.

Nancy’s family has generously included The Etobicoke Art Group in the organizations to which they wish remembrances directed.

Gift: Lillian McGeoch
Our thanks to Jean MacMillan for her donation of a painting by her mother, the late Lillian McGeoch (1903-1992), a founding member of The Etobicoke Art Group.

“Old Toronto Houses” joins the collection  now hanging in Studio B that includes: 2 stilllife paintings by Diana Philpott; a beautiful print by Gail McQuillan; a watercolour portrait by Vona Proctor; and a charming landscape print by Roberta “Bobbi” Robinson.

Lillian obtained her art training at Central Tech and OCA. She worked at Grippe Engraving and Bridgens, which led to contacts with the Group of Seven, J W Beatty and others. She was a member of the Women’s Art Association in Hamilton. A move to Halifax led her to paint fine seascapes and she was elected to the Nova Scotia Society of Artists.  On returning to Toronto, she worked in the Extension Department of the Etobicoke Board of Education for many years, a well-loved teacher. She was active in the Women’s Art Association of Toronto, on the Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Committee, a member of the Association of Independent Artists and a Life Member of The Etobicoke Art Group.
Lillian studied sculpture with Emmanuel Hahn and Alfred Howell, and created beautiful works in bronze and stone. She was a member of Sculptors Nine. 

Lillian had a number of one artist shows and her works hung in several galleries. Her paintings are in many business collections, including Etobicoke Hydro and the Board of Education Prueter Collections and in many private homes. A retrospective of Lillian McGeoch’s work was held at Neilson Park Creative Centre from March 29 to April 10, 1994.
We are very proud to have Lillian’s work gracing Studio B.