ANN ELIZABETH BEATTIE CARSON

ANN ELIZABETH BEATTIE CARSON Ann Carson, a beloved and formidable matriarch, died peacefully at her home in Toronto, on December 16, 2023, aged 94. Born at Toronto, March 19, 1929, daughter of the late Bob Carson and Grace Beattie, she graduated from Trinity College, University of Toronto, in 1951. The same year she married the late Charles Salter and over the next nine years they had four children, settling down to a conventional North Toronto lifestyle. Ann graduated with a Masters of Education degree from York University in the late 60's. After her separation from Charles in the early 1970's, she came into her own as a professional woman, reinventing herself several times, initially as a therapist and marriage counsellor . The work which gave her the greatest satisfaction in later years was as a poet, writer, and sculptor. She published seven books of poetry, stories, non-fiction and memoire, with the most recent volume published in October. Ann derived much of her personal strength from nature, and in particular from her summers on Monhegan Island, Maine, and in Manitoulin Island, Ontario which she visited up to the summer of this year. She drew spiritual strength from her membership in the Ruah Toronto community and literary stimulation from her membership in the Heliconian Club. She is predeceased by her son John, daughter-in-law Hélène Van Houtte, and sister, Jane Champagne. She is survived by three children, Meg (John Grandy), Michael (Dr. Susan Rich) and Hilary (Andy Taylor); six grandchildren, Jackie and Dr. Claire Grandy, David and Ryan Salter and Kalen and Daniel Taylor, three great-grandchildren, Majka Taylor, Sasha Grandy and Genevieve White, and nieces Anne and Sophie Champagne. Thanks are especially due to Doctors Shiying Liu and Corey Bricks for their wonderful care, to Margot McWhirter, and to Ann's steadfast friends Mary Shirley-Thompson and Marilyn Luciano. There will be a private interment. A memorial service will be arranged at a later date. Donations in Ann's memory may be made to: Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (leaf.ca), HelpAge Canada (helpagecanada.ca) or Environmental Defence Canada (environmentaldefence.ca).