In Memoriam

Dr. Pamela Frid passed away on July 3, 2024. She is survived by her mother, Karen Simmons (William); sister, Sandra Frid (Artsci’83, MSc’85, Ed’86) (Nevile); sister, Beverly Frid-Burrows (MBA’84) (Scott); and niece, Holly Burrows (Artsci’18). Pam was the granddaughter of James Curtis Houston (BSc’30) who first introduced Pam to a love of Queen’s and Queen’s football as a young child in the 1960’s. 

Pam began her education at Queen’s in 1976 and graduated from the medical school in 1982. While at Queen’s, Pam was a very proud member of Queen’s Bands (French horn) for five years and thoroughly enjoyed the tradition of the parade to football games. This love continued throughout her life and her attendance at many homecoming weekends. Pam practiced in her early career in Kingston and was a member of the faculty at Queen's School of Medicine. After moving to London, Ont., Pam spent over 20 years as the medical director at Thames Valley Children’s Centre, with a cross appointment on the faculty at Western University. Pam received official recognition from the Royal College of Physicians of Canada for her contributions in establishing developmental paediatrics as a medical specialty with its own curriculum and its own qualification exam. She was chair of the national exam committee for several years. 

After retirement in 2023, Pamela was named as a Professor Emeritus at Western University. Pam loved Queen’s and Kingston with her whole heart. It had been her intention to spend her retirement years in Kingston, where her family roots extend back to 1784. Her ties to Queen’s campus included “Grey House”, which was built by her great-great-grandfather, James Maxwell, in 1899 and who also built many of the stately brick homes that now house Queen’s students. Her ties to Kingston included her grandmother, Doris Bruce, who was born and raised at 420 Albert St. and her great grandfather Robert Bruce, who owned a mercantile department store on Princess Street and who liked to tell stories about his first job as a young lad planting the trees that now shade many of the streets in the University District. 

Pamela’s ashes have come home to Kingston, and she is resting in Cataraqui Cemetery, where seven generations of her family are buried. 

Wing Lam passed away peacefully at the age of 30 on July 1, 2024. She will be deeply missed by her parents, Peggy and Moses; her siblings, Hei and Yan, who live with their families in Australia; and extended family and friends.

Born in Hong Kong, Wing and her family moved to Markham in 1997. Wing went to St. Patrick’s Elementary School and St. Brother André Catholic High School. She attended Queen's, where she graduated in 2016 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Health Studies. Later, she obtained an advanced diploma in respiratory therapy from Fanshawe College in 2020. Wing worked passionately as a respiratory therapist in a number of hospitals including: Peterborough Regional Health Center, North York General Hospital, Markham Stouffville Hospital, and Lakeridge Health, where she supported patients until she was no longer able. Outside of work, Wing had been an active volunteer with Y1192 York East Cadet Division of St. John Ambulance Ontario since 2004. 

Wing was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in January 2022. She underwent aggressive treatment, but the cancer was stronger than the treatments available. Wing’s strength and resilience were an inspiration to those who knew her. During Wing’s illness, she found comfort in her hobbies, with a love of nail art, arts and crafts, reading, and video games.  

Rest in Peace Wing. You will be missed! 

Anne Atkinson passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, after complications from a stroke.

Born May 4, 1938, Anne was a force to be reckoned with, and embraced every life-challenge with grace and positivity. Impacted by polio at an early age, she made a lifestyle out of beating the odds. She was the eldest of five and held the role of responsible older sister to her four younger siblings, who grew from a “shenanigans crew” to truly devoted friends of Anne's in their adult years.

A proud graduate of Queen’s, Anne embraced her experience there, not only the academia but also by her participation in many extra curricular activities, including her role as chief editor of the Queen’s yearbook. She was an ongoing participant in alumni activities until her passing, and cultivated life-long friendships with her Queen’s peers.

During her time at university she met John, the love of her life and world travelling companion. They married in 1960 and began their adventures together, raising two daughters, entering successful business ventures, and discovering many far away lands.

Anne was a passionate volunteer and leader; being married to a physician at the Ottawa Civic Hospital led her to many roles in the hospital and healthcare fields over the years. Her positions ranged from president of the local, provincial, and federal auxiliaries to nurse recruiter for the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

The consummate entrepreneur, Anne started two businesses: she co-founded Elan Associates, with her friend Judy, an Ottawa planning company hosting many galas over the years; she also owned (with John) JAHCP, a medical management firm, which worked across the country changing how medicine was delivered in the ‘90s.

Anne contributed to the Hanne Howard fund in Kenya and loved receiving letters from the children she supported at the orphanage and school. She enjoyed visiting parts of Africa and meeting the school children she was corresponding with; watching them grow up, become educated, and lead successful lives was such a delight for her.

Anne and John shared a fondness for animals, which resulted in them having many four-legged family members over the years – she adored these companions! Her pets played an important role in her life, especially in her senior years.

A clever lady, Anne was an avid bridge player, a serious scrabble competitor, and a current events enthusiast. Scrabble was a regular activity she engaged in with her daughters, which truly was a blood sport.

She authored a cook book and was extremely proud and passionate about this project. Eating In was inspired by her desire to assist her widowed friends make their way around the kitchen, trying to teach themselves how to cook.

She was a master of the English language, and could be an intimidating conversationalist. Anne engaged in many social activities and events where a stimulating discussion was always the highlight for her.

Her fondness for her siblings and their families led her to participate in family reunions, events, and out of town visits. Anne's upcoming summer focus was to attend a nephew's wedding in Michigan with her adored brothers. She was overjoyed with her plan to attend!

Her travels led her far and wide, but a place she held dear in her heart was Biddeford Pool, Maine. Anne had a community of friends there, and for 63 years it was her “happy place” and her second home.

Anne's passion for living life to the fullest was demonstrated by her upcoming travel plans to Hawaii and Maine, and last year's cruise from Italy to the Canary Islands and back across the Atlantic. Anne endeared herself to many of her daughters' friends while in Georgian Bay at Allison's, and during Beth's gatherings in her Manotick home. Her absence will be deeply felt by these friends.

Anne is survived by her two daughters, Allison Atkinson (Fred), Elizabeth (Beth) Atkinson (Rob); her cherished siblings, David and Judy Horton, Ted Horton and Hanne, Jeff and Donna Horton, and their respective families; her treasured grandsons, Jake Atkinson (Meghan, Ainsley, and Mason), Monty, and Basil White. She leaves behind many close friends that were considered family: Laurie Liberty, Jean Wellington, Muriel and Jim Cregan, Derk Duermeyer and her affectionate cat Ginger. She was predeceased by her parents, Marjorie and Edward Horton; her biological mother, Anne MacSween; sister, Mary Duncan; and her beloved husband and life partner, John.