Passings: Margaret Wallace, the heart and soul of the Glendon Athletic Club

The Glendon community is mourning the loss of Margaret Wallace, director of the Glendon Athletic Club (GAC), who died on Nov. 17 following a long battle with cancer. She was 50 years old. In her memory, flags on the Keele and Glendon campuses will be lowered to half-mast today at 9am and will remain at half-mast until Nov. 24 at 1pm.

Ms. Wallace first came to Glendon in 1987 as a vibrant, enthusiastic young woman. Over the course of her 25 years at the GAC, she worked with students who thought the world of her and with colleagues who valued her guidance, wisdom and knowledge, but mostly her friendship. All remember fondly her genuine warmth, her caring nature, her energy and headshot of Margaret Wallaceconstant good humour.

Margaret Wallace

For her co-workers, she was the heart and soul of the Glendon Athletic Club, the “mother” who created an atmosphere of family, who made coming to work enjoyable and brought out the best in each one.  “She knew so much about all of us because she was genuinely interested in our lives,” said Rosanna Furgiuele, associate principal, Student Services at Glendon.

She will be remembered as a consummate professional, a highly skilled administrator, someone who loved life and laughter and shared her infectious joie de vivre. “Margaret was a gift and a blessing to all who knew her,” said Furgiuele. “Her premature passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of those she touched. We will treasure the memories she gave, the good she did, the joy she brought, and a single, enduring image – a beautiful person with a luminous smile.”

Ms. Wallace was the proud mother of Emily and Cole and the loving wife of Ken Bremner. Her funeral and burial will take place on Sunday, Nov. 25 in Hudson, Quebec.

Her family and friends will gather to celebrate her life on Friday, Nov. 23 from 4 to 8pm at the Toronto Hunt Club, 1355 Kingston Road, east of Victoria Park. All are welcome.

To honour her memory, Glendon Student Services will establish the Margaret Wallace Award, which will be given to a Glendon student in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Glendon Athletic and Recreation program. Donations can be made to the Friends of Glendon.

A celebration of remembrance will be held at Glendon College in January.