Mary Spoel

It was with tremendous sorrow that Vanier learned of the death of Mary Spoel on June 27, 2009. Mary was a retired faculty member of the Humanities Department who taught for over 20 years at Vanier (from 1979-2000). She was greatly admired by those who worked with her and will be sorely missed.

We wish to extend our sympathies to Mary’s family as well as to her many friends and colleagues.

Below is her full obituary notice.

OBITUARY MARY E. GARDINER SPOEL (MacEWEN)
October 4th 1933- June 27th 2009

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, married to Han Spoel for 53 years, died at home in Toronto. Predeceased by her parents Robert Begg MacEwen and Charlotte MacEwen (Gardiner) and recently by her daughter Tessa Spoel (Michael Enns). Survived by her husband, daughter Cathy Spoel (Michael MacMillan) of Toronto, Philippa Spoel (Greg Dalton) of Sudbury, grandchildren Claire, Alison and Sarah MacMillan, Cyrus and Darius Enns, Aidan and Bridget Spoel and by her sister Margaret (Peter Watson).

Funeral in Toronto at Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street, at 11 am Monday July 6th. No flowers please. If you wish, a donation to Medecins sans Frontieres, Amnesty International or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Thanks to the staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital and CCAC for skilled and compassionate care.


Read a message sent from a former student now living in Belleville, Ontario.

One of my favourite classes I had at Vanier was a course about South Africa that was taught by Mary Spoel. I still have the books we read in that class and have re-read them since. Mary fostered an atmosphere of stimulating discussion that went on in that class, which I took while Apartheid was still in place and there was a very real possibility of the country erupting into civil war.

By teaching such a class, she helped raise awareness of a gross injustice going on in that country, and that awareness contributed to the international pressure that resulted in the dismantling of an evil system of government in a peaceful manner.

Mary is fondly remembered by me and some former Vanier classmates with whom I have had the chance to reminisce.

Best regards,
Neal Ford,
Belleville, ON

Posted in 2000-2009

In the event that a member of the Vanier community learns about the passing of either a current or a former employee, please contact Isabelle Moncion, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, directly at extension 7543 or via email so that we can communicate the information/funeral details to you as quickly as possible.Thank you for your collaboration.

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