Mary Elizabeth DAWE

DAWE, Mary Elizabeth
1926 - 2014
Mary Dawe, a well-known Edmonton writer, editor and writing instructor died on Friday, August 8.
Mary wrote and edited numerous articles, books, magazines and reports. These included the "Worth Royal Commission Report on Education," the "Canadian Author and Bookman" and "Heritage Magazine." She was also a broadcaster, co- hosting the CRFN TV show "Time of Your Life" and hosting a daily radio program for CISN.
She mentored many aspiring writers as an instructor for Alberta Culture, Edmonton Public Schools, Lakeland College, Spring Session for Seniors, ELLA, and Grant MacEwan's Minerva program.
Mary served as national president of the Canadian Authors Association, director of the Canadian Writers Foundation, Canadian Reprography Collective (CANCOPY), and founding president of the Young Alberta Book Festival Society.
Her numerous awards included an Alberta Culture Award for Excellence in Literature, a City of Edmonton Cultural Award, the Allan Sangster Award for Service to Writers and a silver medal from the Canadian Authors Association.
She was predeceased by her sister Jennifer Murray, husband Hugh Dawe (1989) and writing partner and companion Alex Mair (2001).
Mary is survived by her sons, James and John, John's wife Margo and Margo's son Eric Gorecki, her sisters Francis Lee, Gladys (and George) Villeneuve, and Audrey Donaldson, and their sons and daughters.
A Celebration of Mary's Life will be held at Ritchie United Church, 9624 74 Avenue, on Friday, August 29 at 2:00 p.m.
Donations to Artists Quarters (a housing project for artists of all ages, artistic disciplines and income levels) are welcomed in lieu of flowers. Cheques made out to Artists Urban Village can be given to the family or mailed to 11412 44A Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6J 0A9.