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Mimi Cazort Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Mimi Cazort
Sponsored by Her loving family.
28 Entries
Andrew Caddell
December 15, 2020
Mimi was like a fairy godmother to me. I knew her through Anna and her other "daughter" Shelley. She put me up in her home when I did not have a place to stay, upon returning to Carleton from Alberta one September in 1974. And she always encouraged me in my efforts to be a journalist.
What I did not know was the woman I knew as Mimi Taylor, was responsible for "Mr. Jackson's Mushrooms," the story of Harry Jackson and his art. Harry and his wife sold their home of 40 years, 35 Campbell in Montreal West, to my parents in 1957, and we stayed in touch. My family lived there for 35 years. It was because of him we met his brother AY, who had come to visit his nephew who lived next door.
When the book came out, with its diary entries of Harry's walks in the wilds of the area (now suburbs) I was able to accompany him in my mind. I remember well his art and keepsakes in his old den, like old guns and wasps nests.
In later years, each day at 4 pm, the wall would click. We figured it was Harry turning on the old light switch, no longer there.
I wish I had known of our connection in those times I chatted with Mimi. Nonetheless, I treasure the memories. And I have bought several copies of the book for myself and friends without knowing of the connection until now.
Wayne Morgan
December 10, 2020
Firstly I am very pleased this is still open.
Just today on CBC radio archives I heard Mimi beginning interviewed by Karen Wells on Arts National in 1979 (Dec 3) about an exhibition she had done at the National Gallery of Canada on Palmer Cox and the Brownies from their collection. That month I had received her press release about that show at the Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina SK.
I thought I had known quite a bit about the comics arts and had exhibited some. But when Mimi said Cox was the Walt Disney of the 19th century I was intrigued. This set me on ten years of casual research and then in 1991 full blown research for the National Library of Canada which continues still
Over time I became the expert on Palmer Cox and wrote many papers on him. Alas I never got to meet her or thank her.
Alan Taylor
May 9, 2020
I just returned to this page, prompted by memories of my mom, perhaps by the approach of mothers' day. I can't tell you how good it is to see all these comments. Thank you everybody. She is so missed. But I can say her spirit is alive and well in her grandkids. I see it every day. Love to all, Alan.
Valerie Paynter
September 1, 2016
I am so pleased this Guest Book has remained open.... One Googles people from the past remain memorable long after paths diverge.
I knew Mimi from working in the Curatorial Dept of the National Gallery and kept in touch after leaving Canada. On a visit back I had dinner with her and at some point she invited me to come to one of her women's feminist meetings (We are talking 1970's here). I was honest about not being into all that....
"Trouble with you, Valerie, is you are already liberated", she opined in that gorgeous Southern drawl she had. Mimi was gorgeous. Like others I was privileged to know at the Gallery, I adored Mimi. She was more liberated than she knew.
David and Ann Wilkins
May 29, 2016
It's kind of late to add a message, but my wife Ann and I just learned of Mimi's death. We and Mimi and Alan and Anna survived the great flood of the Arno in 1966. Mimi and I were working on dissertations and the others were our support team. We stayed with Mimi, Anna, and Alan until we could find an apartment, and then Ann and i retreated there when we had to leave our apartment after the flood. From Mimi we learned how family life could be fun, spontaneous, and always an adventure. Our sympathy to Anna and Alan; they had a wonderful mother. Mimi was a remarkable, warm, funny person and an impressive art historian. And she must have loved being a grandmother! Our sympathy to Anna and Alan and their children.
Elaine Smith
May 25, 2014
I met you, Mimi, when I was a student at the University of Michigan circa 1959-60. I baby sat for Anna and Alan, and spent a day and night at your house on the corner of Ashley and Kingsley. The last time I saw you, you came to my employment to say goodbye as you and the children were on you way to Italy...when was that, 1967 or '68? Many things are said about people upon their passing...in the case of you, Mimi, everything that has been said or written is absolutely true...and more so. You were there for me when I desperately needed a friend. I will always love you, and cherish the memories of you.
Deborah and Toby Gorham and Gelfand
March 10, 2014
Dear Anna and Alan: Mimi was a wonderful person, a treat to know. We discussed everything from Vesalius to Eric Hobsbawm to Pecan Pie. (She made a great pecan pie.) She used to come to us for dinner on the 4th of July: after dinner, we'd light sparklers and sing songs--three Americans in Canada. She was vivid, generous and she had a great sense of humor. She was also brave. The way she faced Bob's illness and death was a true inspiration.
We have missed her since she left Ottawa.
She would have loved your obituary. We did.
From Deborah Gorham and Toby Gelfand, Ottawa, ON.
Denise Marchand
February 24, 2014
I am saddened to hear of Mimi Cazort's passing. To a young new employee at the National Gallery Bookstore in the 1980's, she was one of the kindest, open minded senior employees of the Gallery. Never a snob, Mimi was always pleasant and friendly with those of us who worked in the Gallery's “trades”. I will always remember that majestic, elegant stride of hers as she walked by. It was an honour knowing her. All my best wishes to her family at this difficult time.
Italo Tiezzi
February 18, 2014
One of the most satisfying projects of my life was cooperating with Mimi on the exhibit "Bella Pittura, The Art of the Gandolfi". We opened the "Italian Week in Ottawa" in conjunction with the exhibit at the National Gallery of Canada. A lady of wit and class. I cherish the words written to me on the title page of her book "Mauro in America","In omaggio per un caro amico".
Richard Shanbaum
February 17, 2014
Sad to hear she is gone. She
was a beautiful and fun person.
Margo Schab
February 14, 2014
Dear Anna and Alan,
I met Mimi in 1970, as my family had done a great deal of business with National Gallery of Canada, and we visited her in Ottawa. I felt that we immediately became friends. I treasured all our future meetings in Ottawa and New York as well as our phone calls, over the following decades. Mimi was a ray of sunshine. It was a joy to be with her, or even just have a short chat with her on the telephone. I will remember her always with love.
You were blessed to have Mimi as a mother. I feel privileged to have had her as a friend. Take good care of yourselves. Such a loss is greater that we consciously know. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Margo Schab
February 13, 2014
What to say about wonderful, vital, funny, outrageous, and amazing Mimi! I had the joy of working side by side with Mimi for over 30 years in the National Gallery's Prints and Drawings department. She hired me, mentored me and gave me total support throughout. But most of all, Mimi was a true friend. Memories of that friendship include relieving her of two cats, mushroom hunting at her cottage, each driving the other to hospitals for medical emergencies and many many days and evening spent wining, dining and talking in our gardens. There was never a dull moment when Mimi was around.
Rosemarie Tovell
Diana Nemiroff
February 11, 2014
I knew Mimi as a colleague at the National Gallery of Canada and remember her full of humour, wit, and imagination. I will remember her scholarship but also her Southern drawl and her warm hospitality. My condolences go to her children and grandchildren. How sad that she is no longer with us.
February 11, 2014
For Alan and Anna.......So long Mimi....you were so lovely, fascinating, and such fun. You've planted yourself in us all.
Mia
Mona Ayer
February 11, 2014
I posted a picture of Mimi in an era I have the strongest memories from. Thanks to Mrs. Taylor and my friendship with Anna I don't think I would have had the exposure to all the art and music that became a huge part of the rest of my life. Thanks, Mimi, for being our second Mom,amongst the many litters of cats, Shibou,outings to Wakefield, walks in the woods and tea at the Pot au Feu, The Blue Flaming Datsun, the many late night rides home and for your wise ways. You will be missed by many and all and especially me.
Mrs T Dot..Bedford Cres 1974 (or thereabouts)
February 11, 2014
Claire Schofield
February 11, 2014
Mimi was an absolute treasure - so wonderful to work with. What a loss to the arts community and her family. She will be greatly missed!
Gyde Shepherd
February 11, 2014
May I, on Rosemary's behalf as well,join with all of you to offer affectionate respect for and warm tribute to Mimi and her family. In the company of the National Gallery of Canada's Chief Curator Robert Hubbard,
under the directorship of Jean Sutherland Boggs (1966-76),I was privileged, as the gallery's first curator of European art, to be part of Mimi's recruitment and appointment as a curator of Prints and Drawings. She would eventually succeed the inimitable Kathleen Fenwick and put her own distinguished mark on the Prints and Drawings collection and its exhibition and donor programme. Mimi was an esteemed colleague and a member of the curatorial team that planned and oversaw the move of the Canadian national collections into Moshe Safdie's new building on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, which was designed under the direction of Jean Boggs as CEO of the Canada Museums Construction Corporation and opened in 1988. Mimi contributed significantly to the celebration of the visual arts in Canada and abroad and her name will remain inscribed on the memory of all those who served with her at all points of the compass. CHAPEAU Mimi and thank you.
Eve Hampson
February 11, 2014
Dear Mimi, I so loved your talks to the friends of the print room and the time we'd spent together. You will be sorely missed by so many of us
John Tappin
February 11, 2014
Alas, never to be seen again.
Goodbye to a wonderful lady and mentor of life.
My condolences to Anna and Alan and your children.
February 11, 2014
My condolences to Mimi's family. I really enjoyed working with Mimi at the National Gallery of Canada and appreciated her lightness of being and great love of art.
Julie Hodgson, Ottawa, Canada
Jerry Grey
February 10, 2014
I am so sorry to read this news. My condolences to Anna and Alan and all her friends and family. Mimi was a delightful person, full of fun and curiosity. I am sure she was enjoying her move from cold Ottawa and loving loving her life in sunny California closer to the family. Love to all.
Jerry
February 10, 2014
May the God of all comfort bring you peace during this time of loss.
Andrew Robison
February 10, 2014
Dear, wonderful Mimi, we will all miss you so much.
Elinor Galbraith
February 9, 2014
An erudite tribute for an amazing woman. Well done Anna and Alan, you are both a testament to her genius. Much love in this difficult time.
Shelley Van Brabant
February 9, 2014
Good night dear Mimi. I will always love you.
Myra Rosenfeld-Little
February 9, 2014
To the family of Mimi Cazort, I was a colleague of Mimi's at the Canadian Centre for Architecture, and knew her for many years before when she was a curator at the National Gallery. What I will cherish most was her friendship,loyalty, generosity, and marvellous sense of humour and wit. My husband and I shall miss her and her husband Bob. We spent many wonderful moments together. She also made an outstanding contribution to the field of Italian Art.
Suzanne Mallouk
February 9, 2014
I wish I could have known her. I send my deepest heartfelt sympathy to her children, Alan and Anna, who I am blessed to know, and to her 3 grandchildren.
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