GAIL HUTCHISON

GAIL HUTCHISON 86, passed away peacefully at home on August 23, 2016, tended by loving hands and comforted by the presence of her cats, paintings and books. The only child of the late Russell A. and Marjorie E. Hutchison, she will be missed by close friends, good neighbours and a host of admirers. Gail attended Havergal College and earned her B.A. from Trinity College at the University of Toronto. She devoted her life to the arts, living in France and Italy and working as an Artists' Publicist, a Writer at the CBC, a Contributor and Editor at various publications, and finally, Head of Public Relations for the AGO, from which she retired. Gail then took up painting seriously and showed great talent, exhibiting her work in several group shows. In addition, she pursued a full- time fine arts diploma at OCAD University, earning this at age 75. Ballet was another passion. A longtime patron of the National Ballet of Canada, she underwrote, or helped sponsor, a number of original productions, including The Comforts of Solitude, Wolf Hall, Emergence and The Man in Black. Gail loved beauty in all its forms, mystery novels, her garden, live theatre, crossword puzzles, offbeat restaurants, a good Scotch, jazz, travel and anything new and interesting. Her big-hearted enthusiasm was infectious. There will be no service, but a party to celebrate her well-lived life will be announced at a later date. To honour Gail, please consider supporting the arts. Many thanks to her devoted caregivers, especially Karma and Pema.