Wendy Aline Law Rolph

Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

”…y yo me iré, y se quedarán los pájaros cantando…”

Passed away peacefully on the 6th of April, 2016. Beloved wife of Anthony Paine Rolph (Tony), her adored partner for 56 years, loving mother of Marni von Schalburg (Stefan) and Pamela Rolph-Romeril (Elliott), proud grandmother of Chloe and Aidan Romeril and Michael von Schalburg.

An only child, Wendy was born to Charles and Bonnie Wickware Law in Toronto in 1938 but spent her entire childhood in the idyllic Rideau Lakes region of Eastern Ontario. A top student, she returned to Toronto at age 17 on full scholarship to begin post-secondary studies in Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Toronto, from which institution she earned a total of three degrees. Over the years, her intellectual interests broadened beyond languages and print literature to include film, specifically Spanish-language film – an astute move for someone so passionate about travel, since it necessitated frequent journeys to visit film archives and meet with film makers in the Spanish-speaking countries where those films were produced. Her twice-yearly trips to Madrid continued until just a few months before her death. As her university roles shifted from the lecture halls and seminar rooms to a series of senior administrative and governance positions, Wendy was always quick to maximize opportunities to strengthen the international dimension of the academic experience of students in Arts and Science. The educational benefit of immersion in other languages and cultures was her mantra.

Those who have known Wendy either personally or professionally will need no reminder of her accomplishments. At her express request they are not being revisited here. What do bear re-stating are her life-long love of learning and adventure, her commitment to family and friends, her strength of character, her courage and her charm.

A Celebration of her life will be held for family and close friends at 11:00 am on Thursday April 14th 2016 at All Saints’ Church Anglican Church, King City. In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to All Saints’ Anglican Church or to the Canadian Cancer Society.

“…and I will go, and the birds will be singing still…”