Elizabeth SHAPIRO

SHAPIRO, Elizabeth
1918 - 2014
Elizabeth Maddock McDonald Shapiro died peacefully on March 27, 2014 at her Westmount residence. She was predeceased by her husband Lorne; and by their firstborn, David (Barbara). She is survived by her children Ellen (late Marlene), Jean (Urs), Mary (Jim), William (Suzanne), James (Helene) and Thomas (Joan-Marie). She also leaves to miss her, 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by a large extended family and many friends. Elizabeth's 95 years were rich and eventful. In her youth, she spent many summers at Camp Wapomeo in Algonquin Park, one of the camps started by Taylor Statten with the support of his friend, Elizabeth's father, Burt McDonald. Many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have continued that camp tradition. Elizabeth studied microbiology at McGill University, earning her BSc in 1941. While at McGill she caused a stir when, with the help of friends, she appeared on McGill's playing field as a 'cheerleader' when no female cheerleaders were yet allowed there! After college, Elizabeth worked as a bacteriologist at the Montreal General Hospital, where she met Dr. Lorne Shapiro. Despite Lorne's heavy medical duties, and a houseful of seven children, Lorne and Elizabeth managed quite a bit of travel. With several of their children, they spent an exciting, full year in Nairobi, Kenya, where Lorne practiced the tropical medicine he had studied during WW2. At home, Elizabeth created a lab course in the Department of Biology at McGill, in which she taught for many years. On her retirement, Elizabeth continued her association with McGill as a longtime and highly-valued volunteer at the McGill Archives. When Lorne died in 1987, Elizabeth decided to give herself a new challenge. She returned to McGill and studied Classics, receiving her BA Summa Cum Laude in 1989. She kept up the challenge, studying and reading Latin with her tutor Kevin Smith well into her late years. Elizabeth spent her last years at Place Kensington, receiving compassionate care from the staff, in particular Sandra Daponte, RN. There will be a Memorial Gathering for Elizabeth at Westmount Park United Church, corner of Lansdowne Avenue and de Maisonneuve on June 14, 2014 at one o'clock. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or cheques payable to RVH Foundation, with memo line 'Dr. Lorne Shapiro Fund #9637' may be sent to: Ms. Wafa Saad, MUHC - Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West, Foundation, Room A1.06 Montreal, QC H3A 1A1. All donations will be gratefully acknowledged.