Willa McQueen DRUMMOND

1967 - 2023

WILLA MCQUEEN DRUMMOND March 2, 1967 - August 5, 2023 Willa left us August 5, 2023, in the Eastern Townships. Predeceased by her father, Brian Drummond. She leaves behind her beloved mother, Althea Drummond; her loving siblings, Jeffrey Drummond (Kathryn Lund) and Kim Drummond Dlouhy (Peter Dlouhy); her adored nieces and nephews, Myles Dlouhy (Jacqueline Baudinet), Alexa Dlouhy, Mia Drummond and Liam Drummond; many cousins, the Magical Manitou group, her Pisces Posse, as well as many close friends. Willa grew up in Montreal with splendid weekends and summers at the family retreat in Mount Bruno, filled with sports and laughter, surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles and her indomitable grandmother. A graduate of ECS, Western's Huron College and OCA, where she found her lifelong passion for jewellery design. A talented silversmith, she established her studio on Maud St., where she remained for over 25 years. Friends, family and clients proudly wear their Willa Design pieces. Willa loved travelling and studied art and design in London, Edinburgh and Florence. She relished her experience of teaching jewellery up in Iqaluit in the late '80s and developed an interest in Canada's north. A lover of the outdoors with a strong interest in horseback riding, skiing, volleyball and tennis, she was never happier than when sailing, be it racing on Lake Ontario or sailing in the Caribbean with family and friends. Kind, compassionate, empathetic and wonderful company with all generations, Willa lit up a room with her infectious smile and intelligent mind. She loved to discuss books, travel, art, design and whatever was important to those with whom she was engaging with. Like all Drummonds, Willa adored dogs - Riley, her beloved Westie, won the lottery when the two found each other on her 50th birthday. Willa cherished and nourished her friendships like no other and these strong bonds were evident in the last few years when these friends lifted her up and carried her through some rough waters. It takes a village; there were many key players on 'Team Willa' (you know who you are) and the Drummond family are incredibly appreciative of all that love and support. Special mention to the incredible angels at Princess Margaret, Cedars Cancer Centre, CLSC and the incomparable and compassionate palliative team at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Sherbrooke. Willa continued to live her life with hope and optimism, undefined by her cancer. We will all be better humans if we try and live a little more like Willa; with authenticity, compassion, kindness and hope. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the DOvEEgene project at Cedars (doveegene@mcgill.ca). There will be a celebration of Willa's life on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at The Mount Royal Funeral Complex, 1297 Chemin de la Forêt, Outremont, at 4:00 p.m. If you have a Willa Design piece, please wear it.