Dr. Llian Macrae

The Macrae Clan mourns the passing of our beloved Llian Macrae, born Eileen Patricia Gwenllian Jones, on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Lilacopse Farm in King Township, Ontario. Llian passed peacefully at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family.

Llian was born in 1930 in Newport, Wales. Her family moved to New York City, USA, on March 8, 1938, when she was seven, and she lived there until she was twenty-one.

Llian’s numerous educational achievements began at Hunter College High School in Manhattan from 1944-1948 and at Barnard College, Columbia University, 1948-1952, where she received an Honours B.A. degree with a major in English Literature and a minor in Classics (Latin and Greek). She continued her education at Cambridge University in England and earned an Honours M.A. degree (M.A. Cantab). Llian later completed her studies with a Bachelor of Education and a Doctorate in Adult Education (Ed.D.), specializing in International Studies, in 1991 at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Llian Macrae also attended summer programs at the University of Milan in Florence, Italy, and at the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute. Later studies at the University of Guelph enabled her to add the title of Master Gardener to her list of accomplishments.

Llian Jones and Lorne Macrae met at a meeting for a proposed Austrian ski trip while attending Cambridge University (she at Girton College and he at St. John’s College). After several years of getting to know each other, they began their journey as a married couple, which led them to set up their home in Toronto, Canada. Later, the fresh air beckoned, leading them to a farmhouse in the countryside.

Llian and Lorne shared over seventy years of adventures together, including raising a wonderful family.

Llian is survived by her beloved husband, Duncan Lorne Macrae, and their six exceptional children: Ian Duncan (Janet, née Lythgoe) of Brampton, Fiona Phoebe Eileen of Toronto, Charles Roland (Linda, née Marks) of Gormley, Allister Lorne (Sandy, née Rolfe) of Markham, Caroline Mairi (Joseph Zucchiatti) of Whitehorse, and Sheena Elizabeth (Hayley Sudbury) of Lisbon. Lorne and Llian later welcomed dearly loved grandchildren to the Macrae Clan: Laura (Theo Jonk), Caitlin, Kaileigh (Alex Swift), Aaron (Anne, née McGillivray), Mario, and Zadie, and great-grandchildren, Aleida and Leo. Llian was predeceased by her mother, Eileen Jones (née Voyce), her father, John Thomas Jones, and her brother, John Vivian Jones.

Llian was committed to charitable work for children and was employed by World Vision Canada. Her journalism career included being a contributor to CBC Radio, a freelance writer at The Globe and Mail, a writer at Markham Economist & Sun, an editor for The Planet Today, and an educator at Seneca College.

In 2023, Llian received a Special Recognition Award from King Township for her extensive volunteer contributions to the community, specifically as the editor of a 250-page, three-year book project about Kettleby Village and Christ Church. An earlier highlight for Llian was contributing to the Volunteer Committee at the McMichael Art Gallery in Kleinburg.

Llian began her lifelong passion for travel in her early years, and she continued to treasure it. In her married life, she often combined travel with education and outreach. She loved travelling on her own, with her grown children, and with her husband and family, on a variety of trips. The family often camped in northern Ontario. Later excursions for some of the family included Scotland, France, across the United States, Spain, Asia, and Central and South America. Highlights for Llian included temple visits in India and Thailand, environmental conferences in Malaysia and Brazil, travelling through Sri Lanka distributing bed kits (with Sleeping Children Around the World), and learning Spanish in Costa Rica. Llian also loved being by the water when she visited family and friends on the West Coast of Canada, including Whitehorse, Yukon.

In her leisure time, Llian was always active and engaged. She enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing, running, swimming, and, until recently, walking laps daily around the track at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex. Llian was a voracious reader across all genres, and she adored the cinema. She also spent many years practicing the art of photography. As well, Llian loved immersing herself in theatre, opera, classical music, and basking in the sun.

Llian had an elegant sense of style, a love for yoga and languages (French, Spanish, and Latin), and appreciated the acres of land surrounding their beautiful home and her spiritually inspired gardens.

On the eve of her 95th birthday, Llian said, “I like who I am, and wherever I go, I am always at home.”

Llian’s passing is a deep loss for all of her family and friends. She was the light that shone through our lives. She has always been and will always be an inspiration. We will remember Llian’s compassion, warmth, creativity, generosity, and comforting presence. Llian was a great listener, always supportive with her words and compliments. She had an engaging sense of humour, a quick wit, and a light-hearted laugh. She shared wisdom in subtle, quiet ways.

At the heart of everything Llian did was her deep love for family, the sharing of special moments, and the profound joy of seeing everyone grow and flourish.

In her words, “Life is a pilgrimage.”

A private family viewing in March 2026 will be followed by a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 11 am at Christ Church in Kettleby, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to a children’s charity, such as the one Llian contributed to, “Help girls overcome barriers to education, health, and safety,” with Plan International Canada, a global organization advancing children’s rights and equality for girls.