Else Lewer

Else's parents Nick and Mary Marushak came to Canada from Galicia in the early 1900s as part of the wave of Ukrainian-speaking immigration to Canada. They farmed near Buford, Alberta. Born on Dec. 26, 1925, and named Elsie, she was the fourth of five daughters. Mary died when Elsie was five.

In 1944, at 18, Elsie applied for and won a clerical job placement at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. Vivacious and outgoing, she shortened her name to Else and embraced city life. She soon caught the eye of Neil Lewer, a real estate agent and developer. They married in 1950.

While volunteering as a director, set designer, and actor with Ottawa Little Theatre, she found her passion in the arts. During the Fifties she worked with the National Film Board and the National Design Centre, joining a network of talented people at the forefront of Canada's emerging national identity.

In 1963 Else became an assistant creative director for the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal and the Japan World Exposition in 1970. She and Neil commissioned Schoeler & Barkham Architects to design and build what would become one of the notable mid-century modern homes in Ottawa; the firm also worked on the Canadian Pavilion for Expo 67. While sourcing Canadian art to showcase in the pavilion Else met many artists and designers, both as-yet unknown and well-established, including pre-eminent industrial designer Robin Bush.

Else saw a future that did not include having children; she and Neil divorced in 1965. She enrolled at Carlton University studying Russian, English, and philosophy. By 1972 she had earned master's degrees in anthropology and cultural geography.

After the Expos, she researched and developed themes for the Victoria Memorial Museum in Ottawa, and later worked with the Dept. of Indian and Northern Affairs as senior research officer on Indigenous land claims and socio-economic programs.

Else also provided market research for many of Robin Bush's diverse design projects, and they became business partners and close friends. In 1977, Else moved to North Vancouver. She and Robin extended their professional scope across Canada and enjoyed sailing in their leisure time.

During that period Robin Bush designed mass-market home and office furniture that was unveiled at the International Interior Design Show in Toronto in 1977 and for which Else prepared a marketing plan. Tragically, Robin Bush died in 1982, and the furniture venture was wound down.

Else worked as a market research consultant until 2000. In retirement, she travelled, enjoyed jazz and classical music, and read the classics in English and Russian.

Else was known for her impeccable taste and artist's sensibility. She combined that with a keen intelligence, problem-solving skills, and a researcher's eye for detail. She was outspoken, feisty, and fun-loving.

In 2013 at age 88, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and went into long-term care. Her North Vancouver apartment was filled with prototypes of furniture designed by Robin Bush and her extensive collection of books and Canadian art. A few key pieces of her Robin Bush furniture were donated to the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.

Else died on March 9, 2025, at age 99. Her family thanks the excellent staff at Agassiz Seniors Community for making Else's last few years comfortable.