Davina Elizabeth MOORE

Davina Elizabeth Moore (Surplis)
1939 - 2013 Davina was peacefully relieved of her struggle with pulmonary fibrosis on August 11, 2013 at home in The Beach, Toronto. To the end, Davina maintained her characteristic courage, wit, charm, grace and concern for others. Her passing greatly grieves her adoring husband David Surplis and her loving family: son David Moore and his daughters Julie and Abbey; son Douglas Moore, his wife Ruth and their daughter Miranda; daughter Leanne Moore, her husband Richard Vink and their sons Kurtis and Patrick. Also mourning their loss are Davina's sisters Ann Bank (Toni) and Janet Platt of Toronto and nephews Michael Bank (Marie) of Calgary, Stephen Bank (Kathy) of Toronto and James Platt, his wife Julie and their children Amy and David of Winnipeg. Davina was born in London, England to Leonard and Marie Gould in February of 1939 and was educated at Prendergast School for Girls where she excelled at field hockey and water sports. Davina won many medals for diving and swimming, culminating in her win at the all-Kent Ladies' Diving Championship in 1956 before immigrating to Canada in July of that year. In Toronto, Davina met and married Ted Moore with whom she had three children. In 1976, Davina started working in the caucus office for the government of Premier William Davis. In 1984, she became Office Manager for the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association where her outstanding organizational skills flourished. She ran OECTA's office, conferences and dinners like clockwork. Davina was accorded a very long and sincere ovation from the organization's Annual General Meeting when her retirement was announced in 2001. While at Queen's Park in 1978, Davina met David Surplis. They were together on Wednesdays, weekends and holidays for 17 years and married in 1995 with David, Douglas and Leanne as attendants. Their romance burned brightly for thirty-five years and was a source of inspiration and comment. Davina and David travelled extensively and had friends around the world. Davina was accomplished in many fields: cooking, baking, sewing, painting, crafts, construction, gardening, interior decor, property management, travel planning, motherhood and grand-motherhood. Her dinners and parties were legendary and a great many people have very happy memories of her warm and generous hospitality. Cremation has taken place. Davina had her own religion (Be Nice to Others) and that faith has no ceremonies. Consequently, it was her wish to have a party for family, friends and colleagues at her favourite place, The Toronto Hunt (1355 Kingston Road, Toronto), from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 to remember the good times. The family offers heartfelt thanks to all those who helped care for Davina in her final months with such kindness and professionalism at Scarborough General, Toronto East General, Providence Hospital, Community Care Access Centre Toronto, Central Neighbourhood House and Integracare. Please consider a donation to Toronto Commandery Hospice or your favourite charity in lieu of flowers.