In Memoriam

Margaret, wife of Paul B. Green (1931-1998), mother of Robert (Ann Arts'79, Ed'81), Peter (Rebecca) and Kate Artsci'89; grandmother to Nancy (Albert), Stephanie, Amy, and Jenny, Stewart, Jessie, and Grace, Fiona and Miranda, passed on Dec. 10 after a brief illness. She was 88.

Margaret was born in Hamilton, Ontario, to W. Gordon BA'18, MD'21 and Jessie E. Cornett (Ewart) BA'21 in October 1933, a younger sister to Dr. Robert W. G. Cornett (1928-2003) Meds'52. More than 40 members of Margaret’s extended family graduated from Queen’s since 1885.

Margaret was a true renaissance woman, excelling in everything she turned her hand to, most notably the sciences. She was the only woman to graduate with a Major in Biology in her class of Queen’s Art and Science 1955. Deemed the most promising woman graduate that year, she was awarded the Marty Scholarship to begin a Ph.D. at Radcliffe College, Harvard. Around the labs, she met Paul. They married in 1957 and departed for 18 months, based in Zurich where Paul had a postdoctoral position.

By 1960, they were back in the U.S., settling at Stanford where Paul was a Biology Professor at Stanford University. Many visitors to the home on the Stanford campus would have seen the famous “map” with a coloured pin for the places each family member (children, in-laws and grandchildren) had travelled. Margaret had a pin in 78 countries by best estimate.

A proud dual citizen since 1974, Margaret kept deep and daily connections to Canada via her extended family. Maple leaf shaped earrings were her talisman on airline flights. A Canadian flag was always somewhere in the house and her room in her last years.

A memorial service was held on Jan. 8, 2022.

Sam Young passed away on Feb. 1, 2021. He was 85.

Beloved husband of Mary Patricia (Linke) Young (BNSc'62) for 58 years; dear father of Robert Young (Brenda), the late Beth Young (Bruce Cupskey), Barbara Smith-Young (BNSc'93) (Greg Smith-Young), and Sharon Fryer (Ian); loving grandfather of Rachel, Taylor, Liam, Caleb, Cameron, Duncan, Quinn, and Max; dear brother-in-law of Peggy Cambridge, along with Barb and Sedgewick Sinclair. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Sarah Elizabeth Young; parents-in-law, Henry and Catharine Linke; sister, Joy Scott; and brothers-in-law, Bob Scott and Ted Cambridge.

Although Sam was born and raised mostly in Toronto, during the Second World War (age 3-9), he lived in Belfast/Dromore (Northern Ireland). He graduated from University of Toronto with a BA in 1959 and then graduated with a MA in Classics at Queen's University in 1964.

Sam taught high school for 47 years in Kingston, Galt, and Mitchell. Sam was loved, respected and appreciated by his students and colleagues through the years. Sam – dad and grandpa – will be missed by all whom he held dear. As a man of principle and Christian faith, he was an active member of Main Street United Church, including positions of leadership. Sam was an avid swimmer at the Mitchell Lions pool and Stratford YMCA. He was known for his love of reading, languages and teaching. One always made a point of speaking or writing in a grammatically correct manner in his presence. Sam’s attention to detail was also evident in his meticulous house painting projects, where he and Pat had lived for some 49 years. In addition to lovingly maintaining the family home, he was also the resident handyman for the homes of his children.

Barbara Theresa Wood passed away on March 16, 2022. Predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Frank Wood Jr., and brother Colin. She is survived by Malcolm Collins, her loving partner of 13 years; her children, Brian (Larisa), Lisa, and David; grandchildren, Trista, Justin, Ryan, Josh, Bradley, Mark, Sarah, Omar, and Adam; her siblings, Beverley (Jim) and Suzanne (Ted); nephew Christopher; and her long-time housekeeper, Maria.

Barbara was born in Brockville, Ont. Her thirst for knowledge, love of travel, and passion for discovery took her to all seven continents. As her son, Brian (who has lived on many of these continents), recalls: “Mom was a hit on every visit, particularly in Egypt, Abu Dhabi, and Ho Chi Minh City; her inquisitive nature, energy, and joie de vivre brought the best out in everyone.” Nothing in life was too challenging. She was an ‘A’ student, studying Latin, English, and Roman history at Queen's. She was also an avid athlete — an ace basketball player, golfer, and swimmer. Barb moved 15 times in 30 years with her devoted husband Frank, making friends everywhere she went — from the gas fields of Jumping Pound, Alta., where her closest neighbours were grazing cows, to the vibrancy of Caracas, Venezuela, where she embraced Spanish and life with gusto. She eventually settled in Oakville, Ont., where she taught bridge and opened her own bridge club. With a new partner, Malcolm, a retired physics professor, she continued to travel, including to more exotic destinations. She revived her Spanish studies and embraced, with the same zest as always, her passion for books, crosswords, Sudoku, and swimming, as well as the theatre and fine dining. Life for Barbara meant living it to the fullest; embracing everything with enthusiasm and determination. She departed, feeling fulfilled and ready to say goodbye.

Richard Frank "Dick" Walton passed away on Jan. 18, 2022. Predeceased by his wife, Susan "Sue" McNett. He is survived by his six children, Laurie Walton (Dave Frey), Elinor Bridges (Ricky), Marion Lent (Jeffrey), Richard Walton II (Lerenda), Robert Walton (Flor Elena Galan-Amaro), and Diane "Dizy" Walton (Sarah Thach); and 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Jesse Frey and Lily Walton; Eric (Hannah and great-grandchildren Alex and Teddy), Jed, and Garrett (Brittany and great-grandchild Isla Rose) Bridges; Esther and Clara Lent; Elizabeth, Mary, Mark, and Anna Jeanett Walton; and Caroline Walton; Otis, Miles and Rustin Walton-Thach. He is also survived by his brother Ken, four nephews and their children.

Richard was born Aug. 13, 1935 in Black River, N.Y. to Esther Bettinger "Betty" Walton and Clifford Horace Walton. Dick pushed himself very hard throughout his life. He was valedictorian of his class at Black River High School. He was a talented athlete and attended Bates College on a baseball scholarship. An avid naturalist, he spent college summers working as an aquatic biologist for the N.Y. Conservation department. At Bates, he met Susan and they married in 1957. They were married for 63 years: she died in August 2021.

Dick wanted to be a doctor from an early age and earned his medical degree at Queen’s. He trained at Boston General Hospital for his residency. In 1963, he joined a small medical practice in Holden, M.A. as a family physician in an era when doctors regularly made house calls and before 911 had been established. He was an early adopter of new medical techniques and approaches that are now taken for granted, such as CPR, alcoholism, panic disorder, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. His perceptive diagnoses and aggressive treatments saved the lives of many patients and friends with uncommon conditions.

He was exceptionally generous and caring. He helped his patients find work and gave them work if he was able to. Some patients were included in family events and were looked after from then on. He knew people couldn't take their medications if they couldn't afford them and that lonely people need friendship and inclusion. At work, he showed appreciation for everyone who showed up and contributed to the cause, whether that person was the custodian or the chief medical officer. He didn't come from a wealthy background and he saw past hierarchy at work and in society. Dick helped found the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, where he became the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine. He was a role model for medical residents, students, and fellow faculty and a nationally respected advocate for family medicine during the specialty's formative years. In 1977, he moved to Asheville, N.C., to direct the family practice residency at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). He helped establish one of the most innovative and well-respected family medicine residencies in the U.S., integrating behavioral medicine into family medicine practice and training and collaborating with therapists to develop the family circle method, a tool to understand complex family systems and how they impacted individuals' health.

Dick loved planting trees, berries, and raising animals on the small farm he and Sue had in Alexander, N.C. He loved the beautiful sunsets at their farm and he and Sue would often stand in the side yard together, watching the sun go down. After their kids were grown and it came time to sell the farm and move back to town, they placed a conservation easement on the property to save it from ever being developed.

Dick and Sue were passionate, lifelong advocates for social justice causes and were arrested together at age 77 for civil disobedience in support of marriage equality. They were active members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville for 45 years. A loyal friend, Dick attended annual high school reunions in Black River and regularly visited with and communicated with friends, colleagues, and former patients all over the country. He was an attentive and supportive father and grandfather.

For the last year of his life, Dick lived in the skilled nursing area at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community (N.C.) as his Alzheimer's required more care. He was happy there: he often walked the halls wearing his Queen's hat and windbreaker and checked on the other residents as if he were still doing medical rounds. Staff at Deerfield cared for him in a way that was helpful, respectful, and kind. Dick and Sue's children are grateful for the good care both their parents received at Deerfield.