In Memoriam

Dr. Laura Mary Teague-Breukelman passed away on Nov. 15, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones as she transitioned from this world to the next. She is survived by her husband, David; her father, Norman; sisters, Alison and Susan; brother, Michael; stepchildren, Christian and Megan; grandchildren, Atrisha Joan and Autumn Mary Anne; daughter-in-law, Atrisha; son-in-law Kenneth; nieces and nephews, Andrea, Olivia, Eric and Ben, who will continue to cherish her memory and carry forward the values she held dear. 

A woman whose life was a testament to the profound impact one can have on others, she leaves behind a legacy of compassion, wisdom, and a lifetime of dedication to the field of healthcare.
Born on Feb. 15, 1963, in Kirkland Lake, Ont., Laura grew up with an innate desire to help others. This calling led her to pursue a career in the nursing field, where she dedicated herself to the well-being of countless individuals. Her tireless efforts as a nurse practitioner saved numerous lives, bringing hope and comfort to those who were fortunate enough to cross her path.
Beyond her remarkable career, Laura was a teacher in every sense of the word. Her knowledge and experience were not kept to herself, as she generously shared her wisdom with aspiring nursing professionals and mentored innumerable students. Her guidance and nurturing spirit inspired and shaped the future of healthcare for generations to come.

Laura's impact extended far beyond the hospital walls. She was a beloved friend, a confidante, and a pillar of strength to many. Her warm smile and kind heart made her a magnet for friendships, and her unwavering support was a source of solace for those who sought her counsel.

Laura lived her life in the service of others with grace and humility, always putting the needs of others before her own. Her legacy will forever be imprinted on the hearts of those she touched, reminding us of the power of love, compassion, and selflessness. In her passing, Laura has left an indelible mark on our lives, and her memory will forever serve as a beacon of light and inspiration. Though she may no longer be with us in person, her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Rest in peace, dear Laura, knowing that your love and legacy will endure for generations to come.

Allan Harvey Reddoch passed away on Oct. 10, 2023 at 92. He was the beloved soulmate and husband of Joyce Dunston and the cherished son of Scottish immigrants Lt Cdr (E) Allan Reddoch and Mary Love Harvey. 

The family arrived in Ottawa in 1942 following his father’s Second World War posting there. Allan was an award-winning graduate of Lisgar Collegiate and then of Queen’s. In 1952, he – as part of three-member team – was the winner of the William Putnam Mathematical Competition. This competition is widely considered to be the most prestigious university-level mathematical competition in the world. 

Following his studies in chemical physics at the University of California, Berkeley (PhD’60), he returned to Ottawa as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Research Council of Canada. He subsequently became a research officer there until his retirement in 1991. His work involved the application of electron spin resonance spectroscopy to a variety of studies in physical chemistry and solid state physics.

Allan’s interests were widespread and included astronomy, physics, history, woodworking, and eastern art and architecture. His memberships in Sigma Xi, The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (of which he and Joyce were made Honorary Members), The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and similar organizations covered many decades.

Allan and Joyce’s long-term population studies of the native orchids of the Ottawa area spanned half a century and resulted in many publications, including their classic 1997 monograph The Orchids in the Ottawa District: floristics, phytogeography, population studies and historical review.

Allan and an Australian cousin traced their rather uncommon surname back to Glasgow and then to Linlithgow, Scotland, where their ancestors lived at least as far back as 1600, when the parish records began. Many of their ancestors were tailors. 

Kind, considerate, and quiet to the end, Allan is survived by Joyce and by Reddoch first cousins, Joan and Doreen, and by Harvey first cousin, Fay, as well as more distant kin.

Andrew (Andy) Jack McQuire, born on Jan. 26, 1944, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2023 at age 79. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Andy and his wife Kathleen (Kathy) Mary McQuire (nee Polito) (BA’71), shared a beautiful life and family for 51 years. He was a proud father of two daughters, Abigail Lisa McQuire (Artsci’00) (Andrew Drexler) and Tracy Ann McQuire (Artsci’03, MSc’06) (Tom Dicker); and loving grandfather to Owen (13), Madeleine (11), Claire (9) and Chelsea (7). He will also be fondly remembered by his sister, Margo (Barry Johns), and their family. 

Mining engineering was in Andy’s blood even before he graduated with his Bachelor of Science (Engineering) in 1970. He worked both underground and in open pit mines in Atikokan, Ont., (Steep Rock) and Lynn Lake, Man. (Sherritt Gordon). 

He and Kathy married in 1972 and then set off for British Columbia, where Andy worked as a mining engineer with Placer Dome (Fraser Lake). During his years there, he completed his master’s degree working as senior engineer. He then moved to Vancouver for Placer Dome, working as a mining analyst. This work eventually brought him back east to Montreal, where he worked for Sun Life and later to Toronto (Dominion Securities). He moved into private consulting and retired in 2009.

As a mining engineer, Andy traveled the world in search of hidden gems. He had a lifelong fascination with engineering and was a skilled hobbyist who spent countless hours in his extensive workshop building model trains and airplanes. His passion for the craft and meticulous attention to detail were evident in every piece he created, showcasing his engineering expertise and creativity. Andy will be remembered for his sense of humour and his interest in the world. He was a great storyteller and loved sharing his experiences with those around him.

A. Colin Wright passed away on Sept. 15, 2023. He was 85.

Loving and devoted husband of Mary Anne for 53 years; proud father of Andrew (Linda) and Nicholas (Lori); and tender grandad of Samuel, Lucy, Ayla and Lily.  

A professor and thinker, a companion and traveler, a rower and downhill skier, a dramaturge and player, a linguist and interpreter, a playwright and author — he will be remembered by family and many friends in Canada and abroad as an inquiring and thoughtful soul possessed of sweet kindness and uncommon charm.

A. Colin Wright was born in 1938 in Chelmsford, Essex, U.K. Raised in the wake of the Second World War, he learned Russian during National Service in the Royal Air Force. He read modern languages (French, German and Russian) at Cambridge University, with a PhD on the 20th-century Russian novelist and playwright Mikhail Bulgakov. In 1963 he studied at the Herzen University in St. Petersburg. He came to Queen’s in 1964, where he taught Russian and comparative literature for 35 years in the Department of Russian Language and Literature. He had always loved travelling and experiencing new cultures, and was fluent in six languages. More recently, he was studying Irish and Scots Gaelic.

Writing regularly until the end, he is mainly known for his plays, novels and short stories. They are delightful and moving comedies that inspire others with the joy of life. Deeply religious in a non-traditional sense, he tried to express his spiritual understanding of life through his works, and they are serious attempts to come to grips with the purpose of human existence. He was also known for his kindness and generosity, his willingness to help and to listen to others — traits that he fought hard to cultivate because of an inner shyness.