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BORN
1934
DIED
2022
Elizabeth BIRNIE Obituary
April 14, 1934 - December 15, 2022
Peacefully and with dignity after 88 years, Gail embarked on her final journey surrounded by her family on December 15, 2022. She is survived by her son Jan Madlener and daughter-in-law Deborah Parks, her granddaughters Jana and Kayla Madlener, and many loving friends.
Gail was born in Peterborough, the daughter of Harold Allen Craig and Gladys Violet Craig (Bluett) and the elder sister of Michael Allan Craig. She fondly recalled her childhood home "with the covered staircase in the back!" on the northwest corner of Gilmour and Monaghan before her family moved to the outskirts of town. She spent her formative high school years boarding with her beloved friend Lois's family to avoid the long treks home.
Gail attended Queen Mary PS and later PCVI, where she was valedictorian for the Class of '52. Inspired and guided by teachers Margaret White and Helen McGregor, Gail moved to Toronto later that year on a full scholarship to study at Victoria College (U of T). Unsurprisingly, her love and natural command of language led her to become a French, English, German and Latin teacher. In 1956, shortly after Gail graduated with first-class honours, she married Tony Madlener.
In her youth, she made friends that were treasured for a lifetime, among them Lois Davidson (Holman) and Betty Howard (Crowe). In recent years, she reconnected with John & Barbara Burbidge at Tafelmusik concerts in Toronto.
Gail leaves a lasting legacy of love for her family, friends, academia, music and (especially women in) the arts. Notable among the many charitable causes she supported was Larry and Kay McKeever's Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in 2023 when family can return from abroad. If you wish to be notified about arrangements, please reply to [email protected].
Instead of flowers, a donation to support dementia research or wildlife conservation would be the best way to honour her. Gail would want you to get a tax receipt.
"I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well." (Canon Henry Scott-Holland)
Peacefully and with dignity after 88 years, Gail embarked on her final journey surrounded by her family on December 15, 2022. She is survived by her son Jan Madlener and daughter-in-law Deborah Parks, her granddaughters Jana and Kayla Madlener, and many loving friends.
Gail was born in Peterborough, the daughter of Harold Allen Craig and Gladys Violet Craig (Bluett) and the elder sister of Michael Allan Craig. She fondly recalled her childhood home "with the covered staircase in the back!" on the northwest corner of Gilmour and Monaghan before her family moved to the outskirts of town. She spent her formative high school years boarding with her beloved friend Lois's family to avoid the long treks home.
Gail attended Queen Mary PS and later PCVI, where she was valedictorian for the Class of '52. Inspired and guided by teachers Margaret White and Helen McGregor, Gail moved to Toronto later that year on a full scholarship to study at Victoria College (U of T). Unsurprisingly, her love and natural command of language led her to become a French, English, German and Latin teacher. In 1956, shortly after Gail graduated with first-class honours, she married Tony Madlener.
In her youth, she made friends that were treasured for a lifetime, among them Lois Davidson (Holman) and Betty Howard (Crowe). In recent years, she reconnected with John & Barbara Burbidge at Tafelmusik concerts in Toronto.
Gail leaves a lasting legacy of love for her family, friends, academia, music and (especially women in) the arts. Notable among the many charitable causes she supported was Larry and Kay McKeever's Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in 2023 when family can return from abroad. If you wish to be notified about arrangements, please reply to [email protected].
Instead of flowers, a donation to support dementia research or wildlife conservation would be the best way to honour her. Gail would want you to get a tax receipt.
"I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well." (Canon Henry Scott-Holland)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Peterborough Examiner on Dec. 31, 2022.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth BIRNIE
3 Entries
Victoria University
January 17, 2023
On behalf of Victoria University, please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. Sincerely, the staff of Alumni Affairs & Advancement.
Mary Anne Alton
January 2, 2023
Gail was always such a supporter of the arts. Our thoughts are with Jan, Deborah, Jana and Kayla.
Love Mary Anne, Sandy, Eric and Trevor
Karen Smith
December 27, 2022
Dear Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Yet another fine colleague from Leaside High School gone.... Rest in peace, Gail.
Karen Smith
English Department L.H.S.
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