DEIRDRE (DEE) STRIPE LAWRENCE was born in August of 1961 in Barberton, Ohio (a suburb of Akron) to her proud parents, George and Allecia Stripe. When she was just three weeks old, Dee and her parents moved to Restoule. The family lived with her maternal grandparents on the McVeety farm in Restoule while she was an infant. She began Grade One at the age of 5 at Restoule Public School and completed all three of her primary education years with the same teacher, Mrs. Susie Martin. Just four months into her formal education, Dee sang her first vocal solo in front of an audience at the R.P.S. Christmas concert. She sang “Away in a Manger”, and had memorized all three verses, but during the performance, she forgot the words to the 3rd verse, and without any interruption in the flow of the music, she repeated the words to the first verse! Only her teacher and her mother knew this was not the original plan! This ability to “think on her feet” helped Dee navigate many situations later in life.
In 1969, the Stripe family moved to Powassan, after Dee’s mother had graduated from teacher’s college, and had secured a permanent teaching position in the area. Dee began Grade Four at Powassan Jr. P.S. and was quite small for her age; so much so, that when she arrived in her new classroom on the first day of school, one of her classmates pointed at her and said: “What’s the kindergarten kid doing in here?” It was a rather memorable beginning!
Around the same time, Dee began formal private piano lessons with Mrs. Bertha Gerber in Nipissing. Dee’s mother had taught her the basics and was also her music teacher at Mapleridge Sr. P.S., but lessons with Mrs. Gerber helped Dee to further develop a strong musical foundation, and soon expanded to include instruction in voice, music theory, and harmony as well, which continued until Dee left Powassan to attend university.
Dee began her adventure at AHSS in 1974 and graduated as an Ontario Scholar with the AHSS Class of 1979. During her time at AHSS, she was active in music, drama, public speaking, cheerleading, the Science Fair, and worked with the yearbook committee for her final two years. Dee was also one of the high school correspondents for the North Bay Nugget in her graduating year. She was a member of the Highlanders Concert Band for five years, playing the French Horn for 4 of those years and the clarinet during her final year. She also sang in the Highlandaires Chorus, accompanied them on piano, and was the student director in her Gr. 13 year. Dee sang in the chorus in the production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (1975), played the piano in Life’s a Fantasy (1977), and Dark of the Moon (1978), and in her last year of high school, Dee appeared on stage in the role of “Anne” in the musical Anne of Green Gables. Those of us who were in high school in 1979 had the pleasure of seeing Dee’s phenomenal performance. As Jim Calarco recalls, “Dee was a real joy to work with; however, I think that in real life, she really was Anne of Green Gables.” Dee’s extensive involvement in the school community was recognized at the 1979 graduation ceremony when it was announced that she was the recipient of the Charlie Driscoll Award.
Some of Dee’s writing can be found in the AHSS 1979 yearbook. Here is one of the thoughts she left for all of us to contemplate:
“Education is learning, through involvement, for experience encourages knowledge and ultimately, wisdom”
…and to bring closure to Dee’s time at AHSS, her words appear on the very last page:
“I am the Yearbook.
Your memories make my pages alive with the passing of time…
Long after you have gone, I will tell your story.
Life that was, life that is, life that might have been…
I have recorded your growth in times of happiness,
sorrow, laughter, tears, and wonder…
My photographs tell of achievements,
Of battles won and lost, of eternal friendships…
The people you have known are captured in my soul and in yours.
Adventures and tales you told will not be forgotten.
Remember, when you gaze at me, and turn my pages slowly,
the people, the spirit, the discoveries that you made.
The memories that I harbour, I know you’ll NEVER trade!”
“Education is learning, through involvement, for experience encourages knowledge and ultimately, wisdom”
…and to bring closure to Dee’s time at AHSS, her words appear on the very last page:
“I am the Yearbook.
Your memories make my pages alive with the passing of time…
Long after you have gone, I will tell your story.
Life that was, life that is, life that might have been…
I have recorded your growth in times of happiness,
sorrow, laughter, tears, and wonder…
My photographs tell of achievements,
Of battles won and lost, of eternal friendships…
The people you have known are captured in my soul and in yours.
Adventures and tales you told will not be forgotten.
Remember, when you gaze at me, and turn my pages slowly,
the people, the spirit, the discoveries that you made.
The memories that I harbour, I know you’ll NEVER trade!”
We asked one of Dee’s close friends and fellow Class of 1979 graduate to say a few words about Dee:
“To have a friendship that spans almost 48 years is indeed extraordinary... to have that friend be someone as special, loyal, kind, witty and interesting as Dee is even more amazing. She has always demonstrated what it means to be a friend and an empathetic human being trying to make the world a better and gentler place. Dee has been a dedicated mother, sister, daughter, musician, community leader and teacher for most of her life, and yet somehow also manages to keep in contact with so many friends both close to home and all around the world. The secret to this is undoubtedly that she is both an exceptional communicator and an intuitive and natural listener. From our high school days where we met in home room in grade nine, to this moment in time so many years later, we have spent many hours together sharing meals, stories, laughter, and a love of writing; we have truly been so fortunate to experience what it means to be lifelong friends and "kindred spirits."
The summer after graduation, Dee co-wrote the book commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Town of Powassan (published in 1980). She also composed and recorded the official song for the 75th anniversary of Powassan called “Our Town”. Dee was interviewed on CBC Radio, and the recording was given airtime to promote the town and its celebration. Dee was confirmed and married in the Powassan United Church, sang in the church choir, and returned in 2010 as the featured soloist for the church’s 125th anniversary service.
Dee went on to complete an Honours Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in 1985 and followed that up with a Bachelor of Education degree at Althouse College, UWO in 1986.
During Dee’s time at UWO, she saw an Up With People (UWP) show on campus, and immediately auditioned and interviewed with the cast, hoping to tour with them in the future. She was excited to receive an acceptance letter a few months later and took a one-year break from her university studies to participate in the program. UWP is a not-for-profit organization which empowers youth from around the world to become lifelong changemakers. Dee travelled in a cast with 110 other young people from 15 different countries. Dee represented Ontario, and was joined by 7 other Canadians from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and P.E.I. A two-hour musical show was the vehicle that helped them to build bridges of understanding between different cultures. Dee spent 5 weeks in Tucson, Arizona staging the show, and then began a 5-month tour of the U.S. Midwest, during which time she was thrilled to sing solo with the Denver Symphony Orchestra in Colorado.
After the cast’s Christmas break, they reconvened in Pontiac, Michigan to join 3 other casts where they performed the halftime show at Super Bowl XVI on January 24, 1982. UWP’s innovative performance changed the format of all future Super Bowl halftime shows. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxK3qTsj_eE
After the Super Bowl, Dee and the cast flew to Helsinki where they began a 5-month European tour of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. One of the highlights of Dee’s time in Europe was when she was hired to sing German opera (yes, German opera, thanks to the fine teaching of Helge Streich!) in Lucerne, Switzerland on the set of a movie being filmed there based on the life of Richard Wagner, a German composer from the 19th century. The movie starred Richard Burton and Vanessa Redgrave…imagine that - our little Dee from Restoule rubbing elbows with some of the finest actors/actresses of the 20th century!
During her year in UWP, Dee lived with over 80 different host families, learning about their values, their joys and challenges, their languages and traditions, and she shared what it meant to be a Canadian with each one of them in return. Her involvement in UWP was a life-changing experience which equipped her with many community-building skills which she has used and continues to use in various leadership roles she has held over the years. Those who have travelled in UWP believe that by acting from a place of hope and optimism, we can unite countries, cultures and communities as we work together to build an inclusive and sustainable world where all people are equal and are treated with dignity and respect. One of Dee’s favourite quotations by Mahatma Gandhi sums up the work of UWP:
“Peace between countries must rest on a solid foundation of love between individuals.”
“To have a friendship that spans almost 48 years is indeed extraordinary... to have that friend be someone as special, loyal, kind, witty and interesting as Dee is even more amazing. She has always demonstrated what it means to be a friend and an empathetic human being trying to make the world a better and gentler place. Dee has been a dedicated mother, sister, daughter, musician, community leader and teacher for most of her life, and yet somehow also manages to keep in contact with so many friends both close to home and all around the world. The secret to this is undoubtedly that she is both an exceptional communicator and an intuitive and natural listener. From our high school days where we met in home room in grade nine, to this moment in time so many years later, we have spent many hours together sharing meals, stories, laughter, and a love of writing; we have truly been so fortunate to experience what it means to be lifelong friends and "kindred spirits."
The summer after graduation, Dee co-wrote the book commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Town of Powassan (published in 1980). She also composed and recorded the official song for the 75th anniversary of Powassan called “Our Town”. Dee was interviewed on CBC Radio, and the recording was given airtime to promote the town and its celebration. Dee was confirmed and married in the Powassan United Church, sang in the church choir, and returned in 2010 as the featured soloist for the church’s 125th anniversary service.
Dee went on to complete an Honours Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in 1985 and followed that up with a Bachelor of Education degree at Althouse College, UWO in 1986.
During Dee’s time at UWO, she saw an Up With People (UWP) show on campus, and immediately auditioned and interviewed with the cast, hoping to tour with them in the future. She was excited to receive an acceptance letter a few months later and took a one-year break from her university studies to participate in the program. UWP is a not-for-profit organization which empowers youth from around the world to become lifelong changemakers. Dee travelled in a cast with 110 other young people from 15 different countries. Dee represented Ontario, and was joined by 7 other Canadians from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and P.E.I. A two-hour musical show was the vehicle that helped them to build bridges of understanding between different cultures. Dee spent 5 weeks in Tucson, Arizona staging the show, and then began a 5-month tour of the U.S. Midwest, during which time she was thrilled to sing solo with the Denver Symphony Orchestra in Colorado.
After the cast’s Christmas break, they reconvened in Pontiac, Michigan to join 3 other casts where they performed the halftime show at Super Bowl XVI on January 24, 1982. UWP’s innovative performance changed the format of all future Super Bowl halftime shows. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxK3qTsj_eE
After the Super Bowl, Dee and the cast flew to Helsinki where they began a 5-month European tour of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. One of the highlights of Dee’s time in Europe was when she was hired to sing German opera (yes, German opera, thanks to the fine teaching of Helge Streich!) in Lucerne, Switzerland on the set of a movie being filmed there based on the life of Richard Wagner, a German composer from the 19th century. The movie starred Richard Burton and Vanessa Redgrave…imagine that - our little Dee from Restoule rubbing elbows with some of the finest actors/actresses of the 20th century!
During her year in UWP, Dee lived with over 80 different host families, learning about their values, their joys and challenges, their languages and traditions, and she shared what it meant to be a Canadian with each one of them in return. Her involvement in UWP was a life-changing experience which equipped her with many community-building skills which she has used and continues to use in various leadership roles she has held over the years. Those who have travelled in UWP believe that by acting from a place of hope and optimism, we can unite countries, cultures and communities as we work together to build an inclusive and sustainable world where all people are equal and are treated with dignity and respect. One of Dee’s favourite quotations by Mahatma Gandhi sums up the work of UWP:
“Peace between countries must rest on a solid foundation of love between individuals.”
A fellow UWP cast member from California shared some thoughts with us about Dee:
“Up With People’s Cast C – of which I was a member – was blessed to have among us an amazingly talented singer from Canada named Dee. Besides being one of the most popular soloists in our show, she also became one of the most kind, soulful, empathetic, nurturing, mentoring, uplifting, funny, and joyful members of our group as she shared every ounce of her energy, enthusiasm and gorgeous voice with our cast, her lucky host families, and the thousands of people around the world who saw our shows or met us along the way. Our cast has kept in touch since our travelling days, and Dee is now our cast representative and has worked tirelessly to keep us connected through almost daily posts on our cast’s Facebook page and with monthly zoom calls – especially comforting for all of us during the pandemic. Little did we know that Dee somehow found the time and strength – during our exhausting, yet exhilarating year on the road – to write down the most introspective, insightful and illuminating journal entries that she is now sharing with us during our 40th anniversary year. Sometimes funny, often poignant, and always written from the heart, Dee is reminding us of not only what we did (which many of us have forgotten!), but also who we were, what we achieved, what we meant to each other, the opportunities and challenges of an unforgettable experience we shared, and the enduring value of friendships that have lasted our lifetimes. That is Dee: still kind, empathic, nurturing, mentoring, uplifting, funny and joyful . . . we were then – and still are – blessed to have her among us.”
She continued furthering her education earning a Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts at the University of Calgary in 1989. Many years later, Dee felt called to pursue a Master of Sacred Music degree at Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto and graduated in 2010. When Dee left AHSS, she predicted that she would earn a Master’s degree within five years – Dee got half of that right; she did earn the Master’s degree, although career and family responsibilities delayed her dream from being realized by 26 years beyond her initial prediction. Dee’s professor/mentor from Emmanuel College shared a few thoughts with us about Dee:
“In June 2008, Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto established Canada’s first Master of Sacred Music program. By the next day, there were two potential students inquiring about registration, one being Dee. She had considered ordained ministry for a time but settled on “Minister of Music” as a focus for her next decade.
Dee arrived with impressive credentials from her many singing engagements, her school-teaching days, and her deep involvement with congregational choral activities. Every week for 4 semesters she made the long commute from Sutton to downtown Toronto to attend classes in theology, liturgy, songs of the church, and instruction in music at the graduate level. I marveled that she always looked fresh and happy, turned out like a person heading to dinner at the Royal York, and determined to enjoy the adventure 100%. I soon learned that Dee has a memory like a steel trap, and precise details permitted no margin for “improvisation” when it came to musical and academic assignments. Attention to the fine details also highlighted her final assignment in the degree program, a children’s biblical pageant within a Sunday morning worship event. It was “a Ten.”
As the first MSMus graduate to cross the stage at Convocation in 2010, Dee exemplifies in my mind core goals of the program of which I was the Founding Director: advanced musical skills; pastoral sensitivity; pedagogical excellence; love for the Church and its people; and above all, embodiment of the inspiration found in “making a joyful noise unto God.” It has been a delight and honour to walk a distance with her!”
Dee’s 29-year teaching career spanned Grades 1 through OAC at both elementary and secondary schools in Sutton, ON where she specialized in vocal, choral, guitar and instrumental music education. She also taught music theatre, drama, English, and research skills as a teacher-librarian. She retired from full-time teaching in 2015 as Acting Head of Library at Sutton District High School. One of Dee’s former high school students shared the following with us –
“Well, here I am - 40 years old. I have an album, a hit show on tv, a successful career and I’ve rubbed shoulders with the ‘best of the best’. Cliched or not…my training, my best training came from my high school music teacher, Dee Lawrence. No one teaches music etiquette, decorum, skills, and passion for the arts, like Mrs. Lawrence. What an honour it was to have her at the helm of my career. And I cherish our friendship to this very day.
As I practiced winning Oscars and Grammys in front of the mirror…I was always including my high school music teacher, for she is our unsung hero. How blessed we all have been for her expertise, her talents, and for her love of teaching.”
Dee also maintained a private music studio in Sutton for 18 years and took on several leadership roles at Knox United Church including leading a children’s choir, a teen choir, and directing several intergenerational musicals. She also worked as an organist and music director at Queensville Holland Landing United Church for a time, and has played, sung, and led worship services at several other churches across York Region.
Dee has served as a conductor, piano accompanist, and vocal soloist at numerous concerts, festivals, fundraising events, weddings and funerals. A few more thoughts from an individual that has accompanied Dee on many of her musical journeys:
“Dee Lawrence and I have become close friends through our shared love of music. I have accompanied her choirs and we have also collaborated musically in our church congregation. Dee has a beautiful voice and is also one of the finest conductors I have had the privilege of working with. Dee is a person of faith and lives that out through her involvement in the church, not only musically, but in the total life of the congregation and the community. She currently represents our congregation at the regional level of the United Church of Canada. She has also joined some community organizations and brings her gifts of creativity, organization, and enthusiasm to endeavours that enhance the life of our community.”
Dee’s love for the theatre has led her to serve on the executive of the Queensville Players, a local community theatre group. She also performed on stage as “Mother Abbess” in The Sound of Music and as “Rachel Lynde” in Anne of Green Gables, as well as taking on the role of Musical Director for their productions of Brigadoon, Oliver, and Annie. We asked a couple of people who have known Dee for a long time through her connection to various musical activities in York Region to share a few thoughts with us:
“Dee conducted the York Region Staff Singers when we joined the choir in the fall of 1989. She has always had a wonderful sense of humour and made rehearsals fun and something we always looked forward to, and our concerts have been a great success. Her dedication to music has been a huge inspiration.
Ken directed the musical Oliver in November 2008 and had the good fortune to work with Dee as Musical Director. The ensemble and chorus received the Adjudicator's Award for Outstanding Work at the ACT-CO Awards Gala in Toronto in April 2009.”
Dee was also a long-time volunteer at The Red Barn Theatre in Jackson’s Point, ON, acting on its stage in the 50th anniversary professional production of Anne of Green Gables in the role of “Mrs. Pye”, and spent three years serving on the executive of The Lake Simcoe Arts Foundation which was the administrative body of The Red Barn.
Dee recently completed a two-and-a-half year term as the Administrator of the Newmarket Lions Music Festival in December 2021, and has been the conductor of a 70-voice Adult Community Choir in Newmarket called Encore! since September 2015. She has served on the Executive of the Southern Ontario Chapter of the Hymn Society in the U.S. and Canada since January 2016 and was the Editor of their publication Sine Nomine for three years.
Other ways in which Dee continues to serve her community reflect her ongoing interest in history and include being on the Board of Directors of the Georgina Historical Society since 2017 and being a working member and Vice-Chair of the Heritage Advisory Committee for the Town of Georgina, an appointment which she has held since January 2020.
Dee’s passion for music and theatre, her love for the spoken and written word, her leadership and administrative experience, and her commitment to community building are gifts she brings to the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture Board of Directors which she joined in October 2020. She enjoys collaborating with the members of the GCAC so that together, they can continue creating and nurturing a vibrant artistic culture in Georgina.
In addition, Dee also serves as a member of the Knox United Church Council, the Living into Right Relations Circle, and the Friends of St. James Parish Hall Committee, formed with the purpose of restoring an 1840 building in the town of Sutton which was the first schoolhouse in the area.
Dee’s early years were spent in Restoule, and Powassan and they still feel like home to Dee. She has done a great deal of travelling and has enjoyed living in London (Ont.), and Cambridge, and then her teaching career brought her to the shores of Lake Simcoe where she has lived in Jackson’s Point, then Sutton, and now currently resides in Willow Beach where a spectacular view of the lake makes retirement that much sweeter.
“Up With People’s Cast C – of which I was a member – was blessed to have among us an amazingly talented singer from Canada named Dee. Besides being one of the most popular soloists in our show, she also became one of the most kind, soulful, empathetic, nurturing, mentoring, uplifting, funny, and joyful members of our group as she shared every ounce of her energy, enthusiasm and gorgeous voice with our cast, her lucky host families, and the thousands of people around the world who saw our shows or met us along the way. Our cast has kept in touch since our travelling days, and Dee is now our cast representative and has worked tirelessly to keep us connected through almost daily posts on our cast’s Facebook page and with monthly zoom calls – especially comforting for all of us during the pandemic. Little did we know that Dee somehow found the time and strength – during our exhausting, yet exhilarating year on the road – to write down the most introspective, insightful and illuminating journal entries that she is now sharing with us during our 40th anniversary year. Sometimes funny, often poignant, and always written from the heart, Dee is reminding us of not only what we did (which many of us have forgotten!), but also who we were, what we achieved, what we meant to each other, the opportunities and challenges of an unforgettable experience we shared, and the enduring value of friendships that have lasted our lifetimes. That is Dee: still kind, empathic, nurturing, mentoring, uplifting, funny and joyful . . . we were then – and still are – blessed to have her among us.”
She continued furthering her education earning a Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts at the University of Calgary in 1989. Many years later, Dee felt called to pursue a Master of Sacred Music degree at Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto and graduated in 2010. When Dee left AHSS, she predicted that she would earn a Master’s degree within five years – Dee got half of that right; she did earn the Master’s degree, although career and family responsibilities delayed her dream from being realized by 26 years beyond her initial prediction. Dee’s professor/mentor from Emmanuel College shared a few thoughts with us about Dee:
“In June 2008, Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto established Canada’s first Master of Sacred Music program. By the next day, there were two potential students inquiring about registration, one being Dee. She had considered ordained ministry for a time but settled on “Minister of Music” as a focus for her next decade.
Dee arrived with impressive credentials from her many singing engagements, her school-teaching days, and her deep involvement with congregational choral activities. Every week for 4 semesters she made the long commute from Sutton to downtown Toronto to attend classes in theology, liturgy, songs of the church, and instruction in music at the graduate level. I marveled that she always looked fresh and happy, turned out like a person heading to dinner at the Royal York, and determined to enjoy the adventure 100%. I soon learned that Dee has a memory like a steel trap, and precise details permitted no margin for “improvisation” when it came to musical and academic assignments. Attention to the fine details also highlighted her final assignment in the degree program, a children’s biblical pageant within a Sunday morning worship event. It was “a Ten.”
As the first MSMus graduate to cross the stage at Convocation in 2010, Dee exemplifies in my mind core goals of the program of which I was the Founding Director: advanced musical skills; pastoral sensitivity; pedagogical excellence; love for the Church and its people; and above all, embodiment of the inspiration found in “making a joyful noise unto God.” It has been a delight and honour to walk a distance with her!”
Dee’s 29-year teaching career spanned Grades 1 through OAC at both elementary and secondary schools in Sutton, ON where she specialized in vocal, choral, guitar and instrumental music education. She also taught music theatre, drama, English, and research skills as a teacher-librarian. She retired from full-time teaching in 2015 as Acting Head of Library at Sutton District High School. One of Dee’s former high school students shared the following with us –
“Well, here I am - 40 years old. I have an album, a hit show on tv, a successful career and I’ve rubbed shoulders with the ‘best of the best’. Cliched or not…my training, my best training came from my high school music teacher, Dee Lawrence. No one teaches music etiquette, decorum, skills, and passion for the arts, like Mrs. Lawrence. What an honour it was to have her at the helm of my career. And I cherish our friendship to this very day.
As I practiced winning Oscars and Grammys in front of the mirror…I was always including my high school music teacher, for she is our unsung hero. How blessed we all have been for her expertise, her talents, and for her love of teaching.”
Dee also maintained a private music studio in Sutton for 18 years and took on several leadership roles at Knox United Church including leading a children’s choir, a teen choir, and directing several intergenerational musicals. She also worked as an organist and music director at Queensville Holland Landing United Church for a time, and has played, sung, and led worship services at several other churches across York Region.
Dee has served as a conductor, piano accompanist, and vocal soloist at numerous concerts, festivals, fundraising events, weddings and funerals. A few more thoughts from an individual that has accompanied Dee on many of her musical journeys:
“Dee Lawrence and I have become close friends through our shared love of music. I have accompanied her choirs and we have also collaborated musically in our church congregation. Dee has a beautiful voice and is also one of the finest conductors I have had the privilege of working with. Dee is a person of faith and lives that out through her involvement in the church, not only musically, but in the total life of the congregation and the community. She currently represents our congregation at the regional level of the United Church of Canada. She has also joined some community organizations and brings her gifts of creativity, organization, and enthusiasm to endeavours that enhance the life of our community.”
Dee’s love for the theatre has led her to serve on the executive of the Queensville Players, a local community theatre group. She also performed on stage as “Mother Abbess” in The Sound of Music and as “Rachel Lynde” in Anne of Green Gables, as well as taking on the role of Musical Director for their productions of Brigadoon, Oliver, and Annie. We asked a couple of people who have known Dee for a long time through her connection to various musical activities in York Region to share a few thoughts with us:
“Dee conducted the York Region Staff Singers when we joined the choir in the fall of 1989. She has always had a wonderful sense of humour and made rehearsals fun and something we always looked forward to, and our concerts have been a great success. Her dedication to music has been a huge inspiration.
Ken directed the musical Oliver in November 2008 and had the good fortune to work with Dee as Musical Director. The ensemble and chorus received the Adjudicator's Award for Outstanding Work at the ACT-CO Awards Gala in Toronto in April 2009.”
Dee was also a long-time volunteer at The Red Barn Theatre in Jackson’s Point, ON, acting on its stage in the 50th anniversary professional production of Anne of Green Gables in the role of “Mrs. Pye”, and spent three years serving on the executive of The Lake Simcoe Arts Foundation which was the administrative body of The Red Barn.
Dee recently completed a two-and-a-half year term as the Administrator of the Newmarket Lions Music Festival in December 2021, and has been the conductor of a 70-voice Adult Community Choir in Newmarket called Encore! since September 2015. She has served on the Executive of the Southern Ontario Chapter of the Hymn Society in the U.S. and Canada since January 2016 and was the Editor of their publication Sine Nomine for three years.
Other ways in which Dee continues to serve her community reflect her ongoing interest in history and include being on the Board of Directors of the Georgina Historical Society since 2017 and being a working member and Vice-Chair of the Heritage Advisory Committee for the Town of Georgina, an appointment which she has held since January 2020.
Dee’s passion for music and theatre, her love for the spoken and written word, her leadership and administrative experience, and her commitment to community building are gifts she brings to the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture Board of Directors which she joined in October 2020. She enjoys collaborating with the members of the GCAC so that together, they can continue creating and nurturing a vibrant artistic culture in Georgina.
In addition, Dee also serves as a member of the Knox United Church Council, the Living into Right Relations Circle, and the Friends of St. James Parish Hall Committee, formed with the purpose of restoring an 1840 building in the town of Sutton which was the first schoolhouse in the area.
Dee’s early years were spent in Restoule, and Powassan and they still feel like home to Dee. She has done a great deal of travelling and has enjoyed living in London (Ont.), and Cambridge, and then her teaching career brought her to the shores of Lake Simcoe where she has lived in Jackson’s Point, then Sutton, and now currently resides in Willow Beach where a spectacular view of the lake makes retirement that much sweeter.
Dee has so much to be proud of but probably takes the most pride in her two children, Michael, a carpenter, and Alena, a Ph.D. student specializing in Clinical Child Psychology at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) in the University of Toronto.
We asked Alena to share some thoughts about her mother:
“It’s hard to determine what to share about my mom, because there is so much I am grateful to her for, and so many good memories. I was lucky to have her read to me every night before I went to sleep for many years when I was a child. I believe this sparked my love of fiction and learning. Having her read the “Harry Potter” books to my brother and I was particularly memorable. This started around the time I was six years old, when I crept out of my room into the hall one night, after my mom had tucked me in, so I could listen to her read to my brother. They got to a line in the book about Harry pulling his wand out of a troll’s nose, saying “ugh, troll boogies”, and they heard my giggles coming from the hallway. We all had a good laugh about it together. This started a long tradition of my mom reading Harry Potter to me as soon as each new book in the series was released.
On the topic of magic, my mom was a bit of an expert on creating that for her children. Every holiday was seamlessly magical, and I can only now imagine all the hard work that was going on behind the scenes. We had an advent calendar that she would fill every year with different treats for each day, and many cherished traditions. The house would be decorated to the nines and there would be special treats galore. Her attention to detail is a gift that translates to thoughtfulness in the warm words and gestures she shares with others that can’t help but make them feel special and cared for.
My mom also gave me a deep appreciation for music, as our home was often filled with melody when she shared songs that she loved with me, or as I listened to her rehearse for singing engagements. Every happy birthday song and campfire singalong sounded much better when she was there sharing her strong, beautiful voice to guide us along in the tune. We were in musicals together, and I found my love of singing in many of the choirs I was a part of that she conducted over the years. She encouraged my creativity, which saw me in dance, piano and singing lessons, figure skating, and art lessons at various points throughout my childhood. She also instilled in me a love for exploring new places, with trips to locations like Hawaii, Disney World, Arizona, and several other states in the U.S., as well as throughout Canada, from the east to the west, and back again.
She has enriched and continues to enrich my life immensely, but the greatest gift she has given me is the depth of her love – I believe to be loved so deeply is the greatest gift any one can receive.”
Even in retirement, Dee continues to be very involved in her community and continues to value learning and experiencing life to the fullest. A truly remarkable and inspirational woman who has made a difference in so many lives, that is our Dee Lawrence!!!
We asked Alena to share some thoughts about her mother:
“It’s hard to determine what to share about my mom, because there is so much I am grateful to her for, and so many good memories. I was lucky to have her read to me every night before I went to sleep for many years when I was a child. I believe this sparked my love of fiction and learning. Having her read the “Harry Potter” books to my brother and I was particularly memorable. This started around the time I was six years old, when I crept out of my room into the hall one night, after my mom had tucked me in, so I could listen to her read to my brother. They got to a line in the book about Harry pulling his wand out of a troll’s nose, saying “ugh, troll boogies”, and they heard my giggles coming from the hallway. We all had a good laugh about it together. This started a long tradition of my mom reading Harry Potter to me as soon as each new book in the series was released.
On the topic of magic, my mom was a bit of an expert on creating that for her children. Every holiday was seamlessly magical, and I can only now imagine all the hard work that was going on behind the scenes. We had an advent calendar that she would fill every year with different treats for each day, and many cherished traditions. The house would be decorated to the nines and there would be special treats galore. Her attention to detail is a gift that translates to thoughtfulness in the warm words and gestures she shares with others that can’t help but make them feel special and cared for.
My mom also gave me a deep appreciation for music, as our home was often filled with melody when she shared songs that she loved with me, or as I listened to her rehearse for singing engagements. Every happy birthday song and campfire singalong sounded much better when she was there sharing her strong, beautiful voice to guide us along in the tune. We were in musicals together, and I found my love of singing in many of the choirs I was a part of that she conducted over the years. She encouraged my creativity, which saw me in dance, piano and singing lessons, figure skating, and art lessons at various points throughout my childhood. She also instilled in me a love for exploring new places, with trips to locations like Hawaii, Disney World, Arizona, and several other states in the U.S., as well as throughout Canada, from the east to the west, and back again.
She has enriched and continues to enrich my life immensely, but the greatest gift she has given me is the depth of her love – I believe to be loved so deeply is the greatest gift any one can receive.”
Even in retirement, Dee continues to be very involved in her community and continues to value learning and experiencing life to the fullest. A truly remarkable and inspirational woman who has made a difference in so many lives, that is our Dee Lawrence!!!