Donna Marie "Daisy" DeBolt

DONNA MARIE "DAISY" DeBOLT July 19, 1945 - October 4, 2011 Renowned singer/song writer, Daisy DeBolt, passed away suddenly in Toronto on October 4, 2011 after a brief, but fierce battle with cancer. Born in Winnipeg, Daisy grew up surrounded by music. Her mother was a classically trained musician, her father played the blues, and legendary guitarist Lenny Breau gave her lessons on guitar. A musical powerhouse, Daisy hit the Toronto music scene in the mid 1960s teaming up with Allan Fraser to form the acid folk sensation Fraser & DeBolt. Later, Daisy pursued a solo career, writing film scores for the National Film Board, touring, performing on CBC Radio and in numerous theatrical productions. During this time, Daisy collaborated with many different musicians and artists to produce six CDs, each one exploring different aspects of her prodigious muse. Music was Daisy's first passion, but she also inspired everyone with her love of gardening and food. She was a true optimist when it came to growing plants and her plants grew better because of it. One glorious summer she lived off the land in a grass hut she built in the Eastern Townships. Daisy never stopped farming, growing much of what she ate and always sharing her produce with her friends and neighbours. Daisy was a woman of incredible strength and generosity; a keen environmentalist, a pioneer in the world of music, a vibrant soul most at home in the great outdoors. Predeceased by Governor General's Award winning poet Robert Dickson, the father of her son, Daisy is survived by her beloved son, Jake DeBolt, and a huge family of musicians who played with her. Many will gather for an evening of music and memories to honour the "queen of the avant-garde" and her five decade contribution to the Canadian music scene. 8:30 p.m. October 24, Hugh's Room. 416-531-6604 hughsroom.com