Inger Lise HOJHUS

1921 - 2022

INGER LISE HANNE HOJHUS Inger Lise, a Danish citizen, born in Aalborg, Denmark on June 10, 1921, died peacefully at 101, at her home in Toronto, at 8:00 a.m. on July 7, 2022. She was surrounded by her caring friends and neighbours. Inger Lise was raised by her adopted parents. She received her education in Copenhagen where she lived until 1952. She immigrated to Canada where she started a new life in Montreal, Quebec and established her career as a buyer, merchandiser, and catalogue curator at Eaton's. In 1973, she moved to Toronto to head all of Canada's Bowring gift shops. However, shortly after, she returned to Eaton's to work alongside John Craig Eaton II, running the art gallery at Eaton's, curating the famous Eaton's annual catalogue. Her work took her on buying trips to Paris, London, Rome, Milan, Florence and all the various Scandinavian major cities. She was responsible in promoting indigenous artists whom she maintained personal friendship and ties. She travelled 5 times to Cape Dorset commissioning indigenous artists and buying and supporting their works by bringing it to the Eaton's Gallery in Toronto. All her life, while proud of being a resident of Canada, she remained a Danish citizen, proud of her roots, remained closely connected to Denmark. In 2007, she completed a tour of Greenland at the age of 86. She visited her homeland 2-3 times a year, travelling solo until the age of 96. Inger Lise was an inspirational strong woman. She remained fiercely independent and proud until her last breath. She exuded elegance, class, and sophistication. She loved taking long walks and late-night dinner conversation. She was a great storyteller and a competent advisor to many of her close friends. Inger Lise left a generous donation to the charities that mattered to her most including The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Hospital, Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, and Princess Margaret Hospital. Her body was cremated, as per her wishes, at St. John's Dixie Crematorium last Sunday, July 10, 2022. It was her wishes that her ashes be spread over Lake Muskoka. A private memorial service will be held to honor her life in September 2022. She will be terribly missed by her close friend Marwan Osseiran as well as her loving and caring neighbours including Sheldon Parks and Barry Isenor who took time, day after day, to spend evenings with her, dine with her and take her on daily walks. She will be greatly missed by her personal support workers especially Florencia, Judi, Iftu, Luwan, Barbara, and Almaz. Dr. Marnie Howe cared for her during her palliative care term. Dr. Somerville continued to care for her as a physician for over 3 decades.