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BORN
1927
DIED
2024
LOIS WILSON Obituary
Died peacefully, 13 Sept. 2024, at 97 years, with courage, grace, strength, and gratitude for life.
Predeceased by her parents, her four siblings (Jean, George, twins Marjorie & John) and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Roy Fyfe Wilson, with whom she shared in ministry and engaged in a life of extraordinary Christian witness and service. Equals in intelligence, compassion, and steadfast faith, theirs was a loving and mutually uplifting partnership. Lovingly remembered by children Ruth (Ian Casson), Jean, Neil (Josée Guérer), and Bruce (Tracy Houlding); grandchildren Nora, Annie, David, Meg, and Jane Casson; Lois and Murray Adamson; Sarah, Stuart, and Iain Wilson; Evan and Megan Houlding; great-grandchildren Charlie, Maggie, and Leah; Jasper; Simon and Naomi; Rune and Maxime; Fyfe and Kipp; numerous Freeman and Wilson relatives; and a global community of treasured friends and colleagues.
Born in Winnipeg on 8 April 1927, she was the youngest child of the Rev. E.G.D. and Ada Freeman. The family moved to Thunder Bay, where Lois spent her childhood. When she was in Grade 7, they moved back to Winnipeg, where she attended United College (University of Winnipeg) and became an active member of the Student Christian Movement. Ordained in 1965, she and Roy served in ministry in Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Kingston, and Toronto. A formidable advocate of social justice and peace, she worked with prodigious energy and irrepressible spirit in pursuit of the common good. Served as Moderator of the United Church of Canada, President of the Canadian Council of Churches, President of the World Council of Churches, independent member of the Senate of Canada, Special Envoy to Sudan, Member of Canada's Nuclear Waste Environmental Assessment Panel, Chancellor of Lakehead University, and in a great many other capacities, locally and globally.
Her engagement with the arts - notably music, theatre, literature - she regarded as essential to life. So too was her energizing connection with the natural world. She spent every summer of her life canoeing, on Lake of the Woods, in Quetico Park, where she led canoe trips with youth, and on Lake Superior, as a child tenting with her family and then for over 60 years at Birch Beach (Thunder Bay). She approached life with openness, humility, and joy, grateful for the privilege of learning with and from others working to make a better world. Lois authored 10 books that reflect on her experience. That she chose to celebrate her 85th and 90th birthdays by organizing two public symposia, "an ecumenical conversation" and "an intergenerational dialogue," respectively, speaks to who she was to the end.
Service of Thanksgiving will be held Tuesday 15 Oct. 2024,11:00am, Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E, Toronto. Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/TPRqkbxQUL8. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Lois Wilson Memorial Fund, United Church of Canada Foundation, 3250 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON, M8X 2Y4. Gifts will fund programs in social and economic justice, Truth and Reconciliation, and mitigation of climate change.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for LOIS WILSON
22 Entries
Suzie Appleby
October 17, 2024
I took this photo this summer and it is a special memory for me. Lois ate every last bite of that ice cream. I always looked up to her. Any day that I got to talk with her was a good day. I called her the "golden standard" and I am eternally grateful that I had the pleasure of knowing her.
Catherine Fyfe
October 15, 2024
Condolences to all of you on the passing of your remarkable mother/grandmother/great-grandmother.
One of the occasions that I met Lois and Roy was their wedding anniversary celebration in 2000 (?) on a boat at the Toronto Harbour. My parents - Gordon (Roy´s cousin) and Florence Fyfe - were also in attendance. A lovely afternoon!
The Service of Thanksgiving was special to watch.
Catherine Fyfe
George E Zanette
October 15, 2024
I have know lois Wilson since my childhood. Every year I would see her and her family at Birch Beach near Thunder Bay. As a youngster spent time with her children and then as a I became an adult I began to know more of this amazing women 3 "camps" down from ours. Over the years I released our conversations on her front deck at the camp. I learned much and am forever grateful to have know this amazing human being. My condolences to Jeanie and the rest of the family.
Birch Beach Campers Association
October 14, 2024
Sending love From all your Birch Beach Family !!! You will be Missed RIP
Mary Morrison
October 11, 2024
Lois once proposed that I take on the task of organizing a discussion book for Town Talk, a community wide event.
I felt totally unprepared but despite my protesting Lois prevailed and the essays were assembled and Town Talk was a success.
Those who have known Lois are indeed blessed.
Mary Morrison
Susan Heald
October 5, 2024
I feel so lucky to have known Lois a little bit over many decades, and to have at least one warm, wise memory from each of our conversations. Unlike the way so much of the world might know her, my memories of Lois are of relaxing at Birch, in her camp or at the beach, both of us usually in some ratty old second-hand clothes. (True confession: I have an immediate soft spot for anyone who shops at thrift stores and doesn't feel the need to change clothes when "company" arrives!) When my foster kids and I were meeting Jeanie and her kids for the first time (probably about 2008), Lois came in off the lake in her kayak. Dallas went over to talk to her and expressed interest in the kayak. Before I knew it, she had him out on the lake in that boat, under her watchful eye. I was so moved by that: already in her 80s, she had the energy not only to be out kayaking but to take a clearly-troubled boy under her wing and allow him that moment of joy and accomplishment. A dozen years later, we had a long visit at her camp, where she asked about my kids and about FASD; although she listened closely to everything I had to say about that awful disability, it was clear from her comments that she already knew quite a lot about it. I was left with the impression that what Lois was interested in, and cared about, was ME--my experiences of FASD and of trying to raise children deeply affected by it. I hope these two examples of many memories show my overall impression of Lois: someone who would give you her entire focus, find what's important to you, and engage with it in ways that were simultaneously intelligent, instructive and caring. Such a rare thing to find in a human being, and one I will miss.
Though I know only one of Lois' children and have met only 3 of the grandchildren, I send you all my deepest condolences but also my envy that you spent your lives to date as part of the inner circle of such a remarkable woman.
Robert & Danica Wolkow
October 4, 2024
Neil and family, Our condolences to you. Your mother/grandmother/great grandmother was an extraordinary woman who is loved and will be greatly missed by many. May you support one another in your time of sorrow.
Bob & Danica
Rita Shelton Deverell
September 25, 2024
Dear daughter Jean and all the Family of Lois Wilson,
Deep sympathy and prayers with you in your loss.
And ours, with so much gratitude. We who thought our friend Lois was immortal. I, and Rex, are so deeply grateful her life, for the many always meaningful interactions with Lois over many years:
--1974, a television production course at (then) Ryerson where I met the amazing Dr. Lois, an eager learner.
--1983, the Rev. Dr. Lois recommends our theatre company to create an opening arts event for the World Council of Churches Assembly, meeting in Vancouver.
--1988-2000, the Rev. Dr. The Hon. Lois is consistently supportive of the power of Vision TV to foster multi-faith understanding.
--2021, tea and laughter at Christie Gardens, as I consult Lois for "Chancellor lessons", since she is my role-model for Lakehead University.
--February 2023, 96-year-old Lois takes the TTC to Young Peoples Theatre where I´m moderating a fireside chat for Black History Month.
Thank you, Family, for sharing her, and for Lois´ never-ending support, love, faith, and joy.
Rita Shelton Deverell
Rex Deverell
Danielle Bean
September 24, 2024
Reading your grandmother´s obituary gave me a wonderful sense that her life was fully lived and her contributions to society will continue forever. Your grandmother went through life with love, dedication, empathy, enthusiasm and a high level of consciousness for the life of others in many aspects of community and society.
Your memories of your time with her will guide you throughout your life as she is now constantly with you.
My condolences Lois to you and your extended family.
Danielle Bean
bryer wanecki
September 24, 2024
Ruth, Jeannie, Neil, many years ago I was your babysitter from First Church, admired your Mother immensely, she helped me with many things. I still
think of you kids often especially when your Mother visited here. Take care of yourselves I will be thinking of you. Bryer
Murray Adamson
September 21, 2024
I loved my grandma with all of my heart. Words cannot adequately articulate what she meant or did for me. She lived a life that I think was so authentically perfect in her particular way, I know that she left us leaving nothing on the table and I am infinitely proud to be her grandson. Love to all of my family. God bless y´all and everyone.
Say hi to Grandpa Roy for me. So much love.
Beth McLean
September 21, 2024
As a young woman attending Hi-C at First Church United with Lois as my leader, I never realized the impact she would have in my life as she lived out her call to social justice. Lois "walked the talk" throughout the world. I will cherish the many visits we had over the years. My sympathy to the family and to all who grieve the loss of Lois in their lives. Beth McLean
Susan Marrier
September 21, 2024
Susan Marrier
September 21, 2024
Susan Marrier
September 21, 2024
Susan Marrier
September 21, 2024
Susan Marrier
September 21, 2024
Fond memories of a canoe trip with four other senior women, led by Lois in Quetico in 2010 at the age of 83. I also have many vicarious memories from my late husband, who knew Lois when she was a child at St. Paul´s United Church (her father, Gard Freeman was minister there) and who always claimed to have pulled her pigtails! She was an amazing human being, a pioneer in so many ways. Her passing is marks the end of an era, but I pray her legacy continues to inspire. We need more of her ilk in today´s world.
Marie Morrow
September 21, 2024
Dear Jean and families,
Of all my friend's mothers yours was one I remember with fondness. Such a talented, kind and caring role model to all young women. She made birthday cake even more exciting by putting a nickel, dime or even a quarter under it. You were so blessed to have her love and friendship for so many years. May the comfort of her faith ease the burden of her loss.
Randy Cameron
September 21, 2024
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. A life dedicated to her family and community.
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