Phoebe Roper died of renal and heart failure on the 2nd April, 2021. Born in Montreal on the 18th May, 1938, the elder daughter of Huntly Roddick and Margaret (Margot) Redpath, she attended The Study, where she was Head Girl in 1955-56. She then left Montreal for Dalhousie where she made lifelong friendships and met her future husband. After graduation in 1960 she went to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, receiving an Ed. M. in elementary education in 1961, the year of her marriage.
Phoebe taught elementary education in Cambridge, England and in 1967-68 at the Halifax Ladies College (now Armbrae Academy). When she moved to London, Ontario in 1970, she discovered that the Ontario education authorities refused to recognize her Harvard degree. Denied the opportunity to teach, she worked for a number of years at London Kiwanis Senior Citizens' Centre, helping those served by the Centre to cope with loneliness and other difficulties of old age.
After returning to Halifax in 1976, Phoebe became Assistant to the Editorial Board of Dionysius, the newly founded publication of the Dalhousie Classics Department. Over a period of 15 years she handled with tact and diplomacy the sometimes prickly sensibilities of the editors, becoming, as one of them put it, "the principal defender of our office against Chaos." She found an outlet for her teaching skills as a volunteer assisting children with reading difficulties at Sir Charles Tupper School. Her dedication to her work at Tupper led to her receiving a "Golden Apple" award from the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Phoebe had a deep love and knowledge of English literature. Creating anthologies of the poems she loved, often illustrated by her paintings and drawings, gave her immense pleasure. Her beautifully written letters, often on hand-painted cards, were prized by those lucky enough to receive them. She also wrote poetry and in 1990 published a collection of poems for children (and some adults), illustrated by herself, entitled The Discovery of Canada and Other Animals.
Phoebe found joy in music. She learned to play the recorder in the 1970s. For over 30 years she was one of the "Hemiolas," five women who met to play together, share anecdotes and drink the occasional glass of sherry. She also enjoyed recorder duos with like-minded friends. Choral singing had been an important element in her school life in Montreal and for a number of years she sang in the Dalhousie Chorale in performances of Bach, Mozart and Handel.
Throughout her life, Phoebe loved crafts of all sorts. She designed many quilts and was skilled at other types of needlework, most recently making crewel-work linen lavender sachets. Her designs were inspired by her passion for birds and flowers. Every spring she haunted nurseries to find the flowers she wanted that year in her garden.
Phoebe is survived by her husband, Henry Roper, her sister, Amy Linda Redpath of Flat River, Prince Edward Island, her brother, Peter Mills Redpath of Victoria, British Columbia, many nieces and nephews, and her lifelong friend, Alexandra Wallis of Montreal. She was predeceased in 1993 by her brother, Lawrence Andrew Redpath (Louise) of Vancouver.
Many thanks to the staff of the Palliative Care Unit, 7A, VG Site, for their care of Phoebe during her last days. Those who wish to honour her memory are encouraged to make a donation to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust in recognition of her love of the natural world and desire to preserve the environment of her adopted province for future generations.
A private funeral service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of J.A. Snow Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made by visiting: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5