Cicely Thomson

THOMSON, Cicely Eveline Frances ( nee HOLMES) May 6, 1918 Aug 22, 2005 Daughter of the late H.C. Holmes and Philippa (Pemberton). Survived by her brothers, Philip (Catherine) and Vincent (Maureen) of Victoria, and sister Elizabeth Cureton (Allan) of Ottawa. Pre-deceased by her brother Desmond (Patricia). She leaves three children, John Thomson (Carmel), Janet Bartram-Thomas (Bill), and Robert Thomson (Laurie), three grandchildren, Jean, MacIntosh, and Andrew, and great-grandchild Jacob. She had many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Born in Victoria, Cicely first attended St Christopher's school, then St Margaret's and Oak Bay High Schools. After two years at Victoria College, she graduated from UBC in journalism. She wrote for the Vancouver Sun, and with the advent of WW 2 she met and married Lieut. Woodburn S. Thomson, RCNVR. Crossing the continent by train and airplane from navel bases at Comox BC, to Galveston Texas, and Halifax NS, and then back to Victoria, she and Woodburn settled after the war in Richmond Hill, Ontario where her children were schooled, and where she wrote a column for "The Liberal " newspaper. Cicely also became very active in community theatre. A member of the University of Toronto Woman's Alumnae Dramatic Club, and the Central Ontario Drama League, Cicely also helped found the Richmond Hill Curtain Club; she acted in (nominated for an Actra Award for best new performance in Canadian T.V. for "Snowbirds ") and directed (won Best Director of a Canadian Play "The Last Reel Summer ") many successful productions, which were entered in Dominion Drama festivals. Taking small roles in films, she played the role of mother to her own son Robert in the acclaimed Canadian film "Glory Enough for All ". She was also a Girl Guide (Brownie) Leader, and National Secretary and Public Relations representative for Girl Guides Canada. After Woodburn's death, she spent summers with her family in Muskoka, Ontario, and winters in Victoria BC, where she immersed herself in the activities of the Dickens Fellowship, the Poets Society of Victoria, the Bridge Group, the Book Circle, the University Woman's Club, the Royal Commonwealth Society, and St Luke's Anglican Church Altar Guild (her marmalade and warm mustard sold out rapidly at the Church Bazaar). Cicely was always extremely generous to her family and friends, and donated extensively to local Theatre groups and Environmental organizations, as well as sponsoring third world children. Cicely was interred beside her dear Woodburn in Ayr, Ontario, following a service at St. Mary's Anglican Church in Richmond Hill. There will be a memorial service at St. Luke's Anglican Church, 3821 Cedar Hill X Rd, Victoria at 2:30 pm on Saturday, September 17th. In lieu of flowers, she would appreciate donations to the Land Conservancy, the Suzuki foundation, the World Wildlife fund, or any Theatre Arts or Environmental organization. 146843