JEAN TOWNSEND-FIELD

JEAN TOWNSEND-FIELD AOCA, OSA JULY 23, 1921 - JANUARY 5, 2006 Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in Sharbot Lake. The Governor General's Award winning graduate of the Ontario College of Art in 1942, Jean became an active member of the arts community in Toronto. Jean co-founded the influential Upstairs Gallery with her late husband, Saul Field. She cofounded, with Archie Arbuckle, the OCA Alumni Association. She was a teacher and fellow at Calumet College - York U., and mentor to hundreds of young Canadian artists. Jean received international success as a printmaker using the non-toxic Compotina method she co-developed with Saul. Her prints were often inspired by mythological and literary themes including her portfolio based on the poetry of W.B. Yeats. Her first loves, though, were drawing, painting and sculpture, where her favoured themes were nudes, lovers, and landscapes. Her superb lyrical line came through in all her work. Her other passion in life was her family, who will all miss her dearly. Daughter of the late Frederick and Martha (nee Cale) Townsend and sister to the late Gordon Townsend and Nora Eden, Jean leaves behind two adoring children, Martina (Jeff) of Sharbot Lake and Colin (Suzanne) of London; grandchildren Chava, Surah, Maddie, Saul and Arie; and step-daughters Rhea and Pesha. Her extraordinary gift for friendship, her elegance, love for living and warmth will long be remembered by the many who knew and loved her. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on June 24th at the Toronto Heliconian Club (35 Hazelton Ave.); more information about Jean can be found at www.upstairsgallery.net. If desired, memorial donations can be made to the Jean Townsend-Field scholarship fund at OCAD, 100 McCaul Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1W1 (contact Karen Henry 416-977-6000 Ex.487 khenry@ocad.on.ca).