In Memoriam

It is with sadness that the Ready family announces the death of Eileen Ready (nee Sorensen) in Stirling Park Retirement Home in Ottawa on Sept. 15th, 2026.

She was born in Glostrup, Denmark, on Oct. 12th, 1927, to Miriam Stephens and Maurinus Bonde Sorensen. She was the only daughter in the family with five brothers: Eric; Frank (Betty); Dennis (Hazel and Gloria); Wilfred (Nathalie); and Ben (Joyce).  The family was able to come to Canada just before the occupation of Denmark in 1940 by way of a circuitous route through other Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom, and the dangerous North Atlantic. They spent the first winter on a farm in Quebec and then came to Kingston, Ont.

She attended Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute and later Queen’s. (She was a Member of Grant Hall Society). She married Vernon Ready, (Arts’44; LLD 1989 and founding Dean of the Faculty of Education at Queen’s) in 1952 and was happily married for 49 years. Eileen was active in the University Women’s Club.  In their later years they also lived in their log home in Snow Road, Ont. Eileen lived alone for 25 years following Vernon’s death – “alone but never lonely” to use her words.

She had two boys, Robert (Artsci'78, MPA'81) (predeceased by Jane Sawczenko, Joanne Leaman), and Eric (Meds'84) (Linda Glover, BNSc'82). She became a grandmother to Geoffrey (Jinney Fu), Chloe (Luis Vincente), Aidan (MPL'17) (Afaf Janjua), Erin (Ryan Weedon), Emily (Artsci/Ed'14) (Timothy Knowles), and Hana (Sc'18, Artsci'21) (James Saucier). She became a great-grandmother to Leo (Chloe and Luis). She was very proud of the lives her grandchildren are building and was thrilled to know that two more grandchildren are on the way. 

Eileen was the generous, caregiving centre of the family. Over the years she worked along side her mother to manage the Kingston house during the war; raised her own two children; helped a multitude of family members, including: her mum and dad, brothers, nephews, nieces, her dear husband Vern, Chloe, Geoff, and Rob, when Jane passed. And she helped out in Lindsay with the care of the Lindsay grandchildren. 

As her health declined in the later years in Kingston, she moved to Ottawa. Rob and Joanne and the Ottawa grandchildren kept a close eye on her and took great care of her. She was a woman who knew her own mind, and she was clear with her instructions to the family. She was able to pass peacefully at Stirling Park in her “home” of eight years with wonderful care and family close by her side. She led an amazing life, saw so many changes in the world over nearly a century and, as she often said, had a “long and happy life.” 

She will be truly missed.

Gwendoline Brickett, assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at Queen's, passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, 2026. Gwendoline Brickett, 93, beloved sister of Joan (the late Robert Ferrier) and Ruth (the late James Robertson). Predeceased by brother, Donald Brickett, and sister-in-law, Kasie; and parents, James and Hilda Brickett. Dear aunt to Kim, Jill, Jim, Jonathan, Janis, Gregory, and their families.

Gwen was born in Parry Sound, Ont. She attended primary, elementary and secondary school there. On finishing high school, she went to North Bay Normal School (teacher’s college). Afterwards, she returned to Parry Sound to teach at Central School. In her spare time, she was also Captain of the Trinity Church Girl Guide Company.

In the early 1960’s, she worked for a short period in Toronto schools, followed by a return to Parry Sound at Isabella Street School. In 1969, she was hired as a consultant with the Frontenac County Board of Education and moved to Kingston, Ont. After several years in that role and having received her Bachelor of Arts,  she was hired by Queen’s as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Education.

In her early years at Queen’s, she commuted to Ottawa in her time off to complete further studies. She received her Master of Education degree from the University of Ottawa as a result of this dedicated study and work. In 1980, Gwen had a sabbatical year at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University where she specialized in Early Primary Education. As part of the academic program, she travelled to schools throughout the U.K. She spent holidays and free time with relatives in Kent, and they remember her with affection.

After retirement in the early 1990s, she was asked to set up a Childhood Education program at Shanxi Teachers University in Linfen, China. She travelled there on her own and made friends with some of the teachers, who remained in contact with her over the years. They recall that she contributed her knowledge and skills, which won widespread respect and admiration from Shanxi’s colleagues and students. She is also remembered for her kindness and mentorship.

Following her return to Canada, she continued her association with Queen’s  and the many friends she knew and worked with over the years. She remained in Kingston until 2022, when she moved to Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to reside with her sister, Ruth.

Gwen was always interested in children and involved with Early Childhood Education and Reading programs especially. She loved pets and going to the cottage with family. Her nieces and nephews were very fond of their aunt and always enjoyed spending time with her. Two of her nieces lived with her in Kingston during their university years.

There will be a family memorial and interment in Kanata, Ont. Donations to children’s charities and causes including organizations that promote reading, Save the Children, World Vision, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Canada would be appreciated in Gwen’s memory.

Melba Shaver passed away peacefully in her 99th year on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family and her son, Rod, and granddaughter, Lexy, holding her hands.

Melba was the beloved mother of Rod (Annie) and cherished grandmother of Lexy, who brought her immense pride and joy. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Shaver (BA'49); her parents, WG and Grace; and her siblings, Alma, Shirley, Ian, Billy, and Cam.

Melba shared 25 remarkable years of adventure with her longtime friend, Otha. After both were widowed, they chose to embrace life fully and explore the world together. From Iceland to African safaris, from Japan to New Zealand, there were few places on the planet the pair did not visit.

Melba also treasured her summers at the cottage, a tradition that began in 1959. After her husband’s retirement in the 1970s, they spent each summer there together enjoying peaceful days and family time.

She was especially proud of her granddaughter, Lexy, following in her footsteps by attending Queen’s – continuing a legacy that meant so much to her.

Born in 1938 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Michael was raised in a family that encouraged intellectual and musical pursuits. He spent his youth getting into mischief with his twin brother, experiences that would form the basis of the stories he loved to tell his whole life. He migrated to Canada with his family in 1959 and continued his education, earning his Master's degree in Math from Queen's in 1963 and his Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1971. That year he was appointed Professor of Math and Physics at the newly established Algoma College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and moved there with his soulmate, Gizella Sziladi, whom he had married in Kingston in 1968. They had met in the Kingston Symphony Orchestra several years before.

For 32 years he taught math and physics to countless Algoma students as well as his own three children and assorted hangers-on, both willing and unwilling. The life he and Gizella built in the Sault revolved heavily around the Sault Symphony, where he was an essential member of the cello section; the Algoma Conservatory of Music, where Gizella taught violin; and Algoma College, where Michael enthusiastically participated in all kinds of extracurricular fun – from building floats for the Community Day parade to playing hockey on the faculty team, some of which met with more success than others.

In 2003 he and Gizella retired, packed up their life, and moved to Ottawa, where all three of their children had settled and started producing a highly anticipated brood of grandchildren. Michael and Gizella dived into childcare with gusto and also brought Gizella's mother to live with them from Kingston for her final years.

As he had in the Sault, Michael embraced the musical community in Ottawa, joining Divertimento Orchestra in 2004 and playing with them for 21 years, including many Messiah, and Gilbert and Sullivan productions. He and Gizella also joined the Hungarian Community Centre, where he was able to make use of the Hungarian he had learned upon marrying Gizella.

Although his academic career was in math and physics, his boundless intellectual curiosity ranged from astrophysics, history, and music to politics and travel. His willingness to help was legendary, from chauffeuring people to university, airports and hospitals, to tutoring his own students and anyone else in need, to helping neighbours with handyman jobs, to giving away clothes and furniture to newcomers, sometimes literally from under his own family.

Michael had an extraordinary capacity for making friends and building connections, a legacy that will be carried forward by his family: his beloved wife, Gizella; three children, Stephen (T-C D'Agostino), Katherine (JD Whall) and Trevor (Rebecca Smith); and grandchildren, Matthew, Emma, Anna, Victoria, Charlie, and Eddie. He also leaves his dear sister, Diana Duncan-Fletcher, and sister-in-law, Christa Keppel-Jones, and is very fondly remembered by extended family and friends around the world. He was predeceased by his father, Professor Arthur Keppel-Jones, his mother, Eileen, and his twin brother, David.

Michael died peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital in Ottawa on May 8 after a short illness. 

It is with love and sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick Grant Egerdie lately of Camrose, Alta., at the age of 68.

Grant was born on Oct. 13, 1957, in Vancouver, B.C., to Russell and Ann Egerdie, both deceased. Grant is survived by his daughters, Sarah Williamson-Akins and Tori Williamson of Sydney, Australia; his brother, Blair; and sisters, Janice Murray and Carla Schweitzer. 

He received his engineering degree from Queen’s and an MBA from Western University before embarking on a career that took him from Canada to the U.S. and Australia. He eventually returned to work for the government of Alberta, where he was employed until his retirement this past April.

He will be fondly remembered by close friends and family.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Janet at her home on March 30, 2026.

Janet was the beloved wife of Michael Tarjan for 36 years, a devoted and loving mother to Caroline, a cherished mother-in-law to Daniel DeSouza, and an adoring grandmother to her joy, Sebastian. She was predeceased by her mother, Barbara, and her father, Dr. Blake Graham.

Janet graduated from Queen’s in 1975 and began her career as a nurse, later becoming a nursing instructor in British Columbia. In 1984, she earned her medical degree from McMaster University School of Medicine. She went on to serve the Waterdown community as a deeply respected and much-loved family physician for over 30 years. Janet will be remembered as the epitome of compassion, always putting the needs of others first.

A creative and artistic spirit, Janet expressed herself through her appreciation of art, her beautifully kept home, and her personal style. She was also a devoted animal lover throughout her life, beginning with her horse and continuing with many beloved pets, including her Siamese cats, and a series of miniature Schnauzers.