Eva Milada Ruth KUSHNER

EVA MILADA RUTH KUSHNER (Ph.D., OC, FRSC) Eva passed away peacefully, in her home in Toronto, on January 28, 2023. Widow of Dr. Donn Jean Kushner (deceased 2001) and of Rev. Canon Robert Bruce Mutch (deceased 2013). Survived by her children, Daniel (Carol), Roland (Barbara), and Paul (Catherine Cassidy); by grandchildren, Nathan Kushner (Lacroix Scott), Benjamin Kushner, Noah Cassidy, Wesley Cassidy, Gabriel Cassidy, and Ian Cassidy; by her sister, Sonia Brody; and by nieces and nephews, Lesley Kushner, Tony Kushner, Eric Kushner, Allan Brody, Jeffrey Brody, and Joanna Brody. After fleeing her native Prague, in 1939, her mother, Anna, sheltered Eva and Sonia in Cognac in occupied France throughout the War. Here, separated from their father, Josef, who served in the Czech squadrons of the Royal Air Force, they were saved from the Holocaust, to which much of the family was lost. A move to Canada followed. In Montreal in 1946, Eva received her degrees from College Marie de France and from McGill University (B.A. 1948, M.A. Philosophy 1950, PhD. French Literature 1956). Her career spanned stints at the University of Western Ontario Extension in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; the French Department at Carleton University (1961-1987, Professor of French and Comparative Literature); and McGill University (1976-1987, Chair and Professor of French). As President of Victoria University in the University of Toronto (1987-1994), she was the first woman to lead an Ontario university. Her legacy at Vic includes establishment of the Northrop Frye Centre and serving well into the 21st century as President emerita and Mary Jackman Rowell Professor of French, Comparative Literature, and Renaissance Studies. Her prolific and profound scholarship ranged from Renaissance writers and poets to 20th century French and Quebecois authors. Her last scholarly work was published in 2022. Her Canadian and international leadership includes membership of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, of the Canada Council for the Arts, of the International Comparative Literature Association (Past President) and the executive committee of the Modern Languages Association. She received honourary doctorates from the University of Western Ontario, Acadia University, McGill's United Theological College, the University of St. Michael's College, the University of Szeged in Hungary, and Victoria University. In her magnificent professional career she was most honoured by her appointments to the Order of Canada in 1997, and "La Pléiade Ordre de la Francophonie". But we in her family can attest that Eva derived even greater satisfaction from being an affectionate and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. We gratefully acknowledge the loving care and support provided by "Team Eva" since 2015: Mila, Maria, Emiley, Elaine, and Darl. We will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Humphrey Funeral Home A,W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue, Toronto on Saturday, February 4, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Doctors without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.ca). Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel 416-487-4523