The passing of alumna Marjorie Douglas

The University of Manitoba was saddened to hear of the passing of Marjorie Barbara Douglas (BA/31), who was one of its most senior graduates. Mrs. Douglas passed of natural causes at North York General Hospital on November 7, 2020, at the remarkable age of 110.

Mrs. Douglas was predeceased by her parents, Robert Hector Richmond and Martha Agnes (Queen) Richmond, and her husband, Rev. Dr. George Lees Douglas (1904-1990).

In her UM Yearbook, a note described her having a “demure demeanor, together with a twinkling eye and ready smile,” and that she was “a capable executive too.” She later graduated from the University of Toronto Library School in 1932 and began her library career at Trinity College. Following her marriage to Rev. Douglas, she focused her energy on raising their two sons George and Robert.

In 1961, she re-enaged her career and became librarian at the North York Public Library. She retired from there at the age of 65, and began a rich post-retirement life. She continued to drive her car until she was already 90 years old, an indication of her sharpness of mind and golden vitality.

Having survived both the Spanish Flu and COVID-19, this past September Mrs. Douglas celebrated her 110^th birthday at Amica Bayview Village, which had to be on Zoom because of COVID-19 restrictions. Among the many accolades and well-wishes at her virtual birthday party, her sons read a letter of congratulations from UM President Michael Benarroch.