Rosita LeSueur TOVELL

TOVELL, Rosita LeSueur 1919 - 2014 Rosa LeSueur Tovell, at home in Victoria on 22 June surrounded by her children. Wife of Freeman Massey Tovell, cherished mother of Susan (Peter Moogk), Rosemarie, Pat (Paul Skahan) and Peter (Mark Plummer). Dearly loved grandmother of Jonathan, Benjamin (Lisa), Anna (Scot) and Daniel. Sister of Richard LeSueur (Barbara). Predeceased by her sister Marie Fleming (Meredith). Born in Toronto, Rosita was the daughter of Richard Vryling LeSueur and Rosa Larranaga y Montero. As the wife of a Canadian diplomat Rosita lived in several countries, the most personally significant were the two postings in Peru which allowed her to explore and enjoy the heritage of her mother's homeland and family. Rosita was a passionate advocate of the visual arts, a discerning collector and supporter of artists in many communities in which she lived. In Ottawa she was a founder of the National Gallery Association (now Friends of the National Gallery), and member of the Board of Trustees of the National Museums of Canada. Rosita made donations to the National Gallery of Canada and established a fund to purchase work by contemporary First Nations artists. Rosita was increasingly active after 1978 when she and Freeman moved to Victoria where she served for many years on the Board of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. She was an advisor to its acquisition committee and a donor to its collection. Rosita's memorial service will be held on Wednesday, 2 July, 2014 at 1 pm at St. George the Martyr, Cadboro Bay, Victoria. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the cultural institution of your choice would be appreciated.