Class Notes

Catching up with Elizabeth COLE Denton ‘69 & Jennifer COLE Redwood ‘73

Thank you Elizabeth ‘Liz’ COLE Denton for donating your beautiful SMLS prefect blazer from the Class of 1969 to the SMLS archives. Liz and her sister, Jennifer were thrilled to receive a visit from our Executive Director, Advancement & Community Relations, Valerie Terejko, who brought Liz and Jennifer some SMLS swag as a token of our appreciation for giving back to the school this wonderful part of our history. We look forward to seeing you both at future SMLS alumnae events.

Leena KORE Schroder ‘75 (St. Mildred’s College)

Leena Kore Schroder (Leena-Kreet Kore, 1975) has lived in the UK since 1980, when she went to London to do her PhD in English. She stayed in Britain for an academic career, married fellow academic Martin Schroder (Vice-President of the University of Manchester and Dean of Science and Engineering) and recently retired from the University of Nottingham. Her son Tobias has just won the 2022 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, in which he was Stroke and Captain of the Oxford boat. He is also the current Under-23 World Champion with the GB Men’s Eight, and is training with hopes for the Olympics, though Paris may be a bit too early. Leena is busy supporting him, as can be seen on the front page of the online version of The Guardian newspaper after the Boat Race, and would love to hear from old friends. You can connect with Leena through the Alumnae Office at alumnae@smls.on.ca.

Catharine Scott ‘79

Catharine Scott ‘79 is the Executive Assistant to the Head of School and the Board of Governors at SMLS. Ms. Scott began as a student at St. Mildred’s College in 1967 downtown Toronto and, in 1969, began travelling everyday from Scarborough to Oakville to attend the new SMLS. She left her beloved school and friends after Grade 8 to attend a public high school closer to home.

Catharine has enjoyed a long career in administration supporting C-suite executives and was very excited to join the School after a chance discussion with Nancy Richards, Head of School, in August 2021. Since then, Catharine has provided exceptional administrative support to the

Head of School, the Board Chair and the Board of Governors, and the faculty and staff of SMLS.

Ms. Scott is thrilled to return to the School that she’s loved for so many years. In fact, she believes her office is located in the exact spot that her Grade 5 classroom used to be. “On my first day of work, as I walked through the doors after so many years, I felt like I returned home. I’m so happy to come to work each and every day.”

Susan Elliot-Lethbridge ‘80

SMLS’s Executive Director of Advancement & Community Relations, Valerie Terejko recently had the pleasure of catching up with alumna, Susan ElliotLethbridge ‘80 in Halifax. Susan attended SMLS from 1974 to 1980. When asked to describe SMLS in one word, Susan says, ‘CHOICE’. The school empowered and gave her the confidence to choose, which has been a guiding principle in her life since leaving the school.

Natalie Jenner ‘87

Natalie Jenner ‘87 recently connected with SMLS to share the very exciting news that her second novel Bloomsbury Girls was released on May 17, 2022, and was an instant national bestseller. Other accolades include People Magazine’s Book of the Week, one of Amazon’s Best Books of the Month, one of Indigo’s Best Books of 2022 So Far, a Book of the Month Club selection, a June Indie Next Pick and a Canadian Library Loan Stars Selection.

Since becoming an instant international bestseller in May 2020, her first novel The Jane Austen Society has been optioned for film and television by Amaze Film + Television and has now sold for translation in twenty-one countries around the world.

Natalie was formerly a corporate lawyer, career coach and, most recently, an independent bookstore owner in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs.

Congratulations Natalie!

Natalia Edelmann ‘00

SMLS recently connected with Natalia Edelmann ‘00 to send along birthday greetings on August 11th and Natalia responded that this year for her birthday she wanted to plant a forest of 1,000 trees in one of 15 countries with EcoMatcher, a corporation that plants trees and complete forests with vetted foundations and NGOs from around the world specializing in planting trees. Through technology, EcoMatcher knows everything about every tree, offering total transparency. Every tree can be virtually visited.

To achieve her goal, Natalia has committed to raise $4,500 CAD, and she would like to invite her fellow Millies who are passionate about climate change to join her. You can name and follow your tree and vote where you want to plant our forest. All donations (100%), less transaction fees (e.g. GoFundMe, credit card fees, bank transfer fees) will be paid to EcoMatcher at the end of 2022. You can read more about Natalia’s birthday wish and donate by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-meplant-a-forest-for-my-birthday?utm_ campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_ medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer.

Natalia attended SMLS from 1986-1997 and then went on to the University of Guelph, where she attained her B.A.H. in

European Studies with a specialization in Business and Spanish and in 2015, she acquired her MBA, CPA, and CMA Graduate Program from the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. In 2018, she received her Holistic Wellness Coach Training and Certification and currently is the founder of her own company Wellness for Wealth™.

Sharyon de Souza ‘04

I genuinely never imagined having something to share in an SMLS update. So, being here, writing this, is an experience in itself!

Almost 20 years after starting my first job at Shoppers Drug Mart (during S5!), I’m incredibly proud and grateful to return to this side of the business in a new capacity, on the Enterprise Pharmacy Operations & Transformation Team. I have the privilege of partnering with this amazing team on our strategy, supporting all Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw umbrella pharmacies across the country, as Sr. Director, Projects & Planning. I’ve spent my entire career working for Loblaw Companies Limited - which may not be shocking to anyone who knew how much I loved my job, all those years ago.

I attended SMLS from 1999 to 2004, from S2 to S6. As someone who struggled to stay engaged in my studies (to the dismay of my amazing parents) - the small class size and its consequential level of accountability was absolutely pivotal to my growth in those formative years. My parents moved mountains in their own right to send me to SMLS - and I really am grateful for the influence it had on my journey thereafter.

Sarah CONNOR Corley ‘07

Sarah CONNOR Corley ‘07 recently connected with SMLS to share a photo of a recent work trip to Park City, Utah.

She also shared that she had recently began a new role with a start-up tech company called Tackle.io, which has a 100% remote workforce, even before the pandemic started. Sarah is one of the first five Canadian employees at the company.

Due to the remote work culture, each year the company hosts all employees for a week-long offsite event, where everyone can connect in person, learn from one another, and have a little fun. We wish Sarah all the best in her new role and look forward to seeing more photos from all the places her new work takes her.

Bisma Bhatti ‘08

On July 22, our Alumnae Association President, Bisma Bhatti ‘08, finally celebrated her wedding reception to Behnoud Kazemzadeh, after getting legally married in 2020. As a Serial Entrepreneur and wedding planner herself, Bisma put her skills into practice for this fairytale celebration at Casa Loma in Toronto. Many Millies and members of the SMLS community were in attendance.

Erin Baker ‘09

September 24. The two tied the knot at the beautiful Glen Drummond Farm in Dundas, Ontario. Several Millies were in attendance including Dana Scanzano ‘09, Haley Rutherford ‘09 (Maid of Honor), Gianna Schiralli ‘09 (bridesmaid) and sister of the bride, Laura Baker ‘06 (bridesmaid).

Nicole Whitten ‘11

Nicole became a Registered Nurse in 2015 after graduating from McMaster University. She worked at SMLS until 2017 as a Staff Nurse while completing her Master’s in Public Health. She then moved on to work in Public Health for Halton, Peel and now London where she currently resides.

Nicole was recently presented with a certificate from her workplace in appreciation of her incredible service to our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which her duties included, but were not limited to:

• School outbreaks and case exposure manager • Case and contact manager • Call centre worker

• COVID-19 vaccine immunizer

• Appointment booking line worker for

COVID vaccines

• School health promoter conducting inspections for infection and prevention measures related to COVID-19 • School health nurse supporting vaccine clinics for routine childhood immunizations so kids didn’t get behind, providing sexual health services to youth and, creating resources to help kids, parents and staff recover and get back to

‘normal’.

During the pandemic, Nicole also participated in three studies that examined the role of the nurse and the implications of COVID on our work and communities.

While this was a difficult period for us all, it was especially challenging for healthcare workers.

“I want to express my thanks to SMLS for helping me survive the most difficult time of my life. Many skills and relationships created and fostered under the school roof no doubt contributed to my ability in seeing this work through to ensure I never gave up on myself or those counting on me in the community.”

Congratulations, Nicole, and we sincerely thank you for your incredible service!

Claire Buechler ‘13

our Junior School faculty this school year. For the past three years, she has taught in the Peel District School Board.

In addition to her new job, Claire also got married over the summer. Congratulations Claire, and welcome back to SMLS.

Geneviève Laramée ‘14

SMLS recently connected with Geneviève Laramée ‘14, who was excited to update us that she will soon be starting at McMaster University in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Program.

After graduating from SMLS in 2014, Geneviève attended George Brown College, where she studied Culinary Management - Integrated Learning, Culinary Arts/Chef Training and is the current owner/chef of The People Feeder Catering Company in Oakville.

It is Geneviève’s hope to serve her community as a social worker specializing in women’s social services. She strongly believes this desire stems from all the volunteering opportunities she was given while attending SMLS. The SMLS community imparts a strong sense of duty in its graduates to be upstanding and active members in their communities; wherever they might be.

SMLS wishes Geneviève all the best in her future endeavors.

Rayhanah Haffejee ‘15

Rayhanah Haffejee ‘15 recently shared the exciting news that she has joined the team at Chubb as a Commercial Insurance Underwriter. Her role involves managing and growing a profitable book of Property and Casualty business within the Commercial and Technology industry practices.

Rayhanah attended SMLS from 2009 to 2015 and has fond memories of Mrs. Warner’s math and accounting classes.

Rayhanah graduated in 2019 from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Life Sciences Honours degree and recently received her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

SMLS wishes Rayhanah all the best in her new role.

Tess Buckley ‘17

Tess Buckley ‘17 recently connected with SMLS to share the following update:

I have completed my MA in Philosophy and AI, in London UK, where I have been reviewing the ethics of AI, the lack of governance in emerging technologies and strategies for business innovation and uptake of tech. I have recently completed the vocal defense of my thesis project on ableism in biotechnologies, machine neutrality, and the complexity of categorizing human difference; analyzing literature, including case studies, and personal experiences. In addition, I investigate the differences between human and machine bias, alongside the implications of iterative bias and ‘credible’ misperceptions. I was asked to share my experience on the course here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=9gDNq001fVM

My newest project: https://aireg.net is a cross-disciplinary dialogue on AI regulation, between academics at Oxford University and Goodenough College. It is our aim to use this platform as an interactive medium to spur more exchange of ideas on the need for explainable policy, ethical frameworks and AI regulations.

During my time at SMLS, I was the Arts Prefect, I have kept my passion for music alive, playing my first festival in October.

Aliyah Haffejee ‘17

Congratulations to Aliyah Haffejee 17’ for recently joining the Business team at EY as a Technology Risk Consultant. Her role involves the evaluation of client process and internal controls to help mitigate compliance, operational and financial risk.

Aliyah attended SMLS from 2008 to 2017 and was the Grenfell House Head Prefect in her final year. She has fond memories of playing saxophone in the band, going

on a six-week exchange to Tasmania, and consistently bugging Ms. Warner for calculus extra help. Aliyah developed a passion for mathematics in Grade 12 and went on to graduate from Queen’s University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Applied Science, Majoring in Mathematics and Engineering with a minor in Systems and Robotics.

In her spare time, Aliyah has started a small business to share her passion for crocheting which can be found on instagram at @aliyah.makes.

SMLS wishes Aliyah all the best in her new role.

Kristen Ashworth ‘18

Kristen recently connected with SMLS to share the following update:

I graduated this June 2022 from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Bio-Medical Science (Honours with Distinction). I had an incredible four years at UofG!! I was very fortunate to receive one of ten of the University’s most prestigious scholarships, the President’s Scholarship, for the duration of my undergraduate degree. At June graduation I was awarded the Gary Partlow Prize for Leadership & Academic Excellence on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and ongoing leadership on campus amongst all students in the Bio-Medical Science graduating class.

I am excited to share that I have accepted an offer from the University of Toronto for this fall 2022 to pursue a two-year, fully funded thesis MSc at the Institute of Medical Science, which is the graduate unit within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. I will be researching at the Krembil Research Institute under the supervision of the clinician-scientist Dr. Brian Ballios and will be investigating novel stem-cell therapies for rare inherited retinal diseases.

I have a deep amount of gratitude for all the teachers, programs and experiences SMLS provided to harness potential, push me to be a critical thinker, and prepare me for my academic future. I attribute the person I am becoming now in large part to the place where I grew up for 11 years. This time of year makes me especially nostalgic of SMLS days - back to school, seeing friends/teachers again, playing on the soccer team and running cross country were always highlights of the fall!

Phoebe Jenner ‘18

Congratulations to Phoebe Jenner ‘18 on her graduation from the University of Toronto, completing her BA in English Language and Literature, and receiving the Aikins Scholarship and the University of Toronto Excellence Award during her four-year program.

Phoebe has recently accepted an offer to return to the University of Toronto for their very competitive MA in Creative Writing Program.

Phoebe attended SMLS from 2009 to 2018 and recalls her time writing and editing for Hemline and spending time with her graduating class.

After her MA, Phoebe would like to pursue a career as an author.

SMLS wishes Phoebe all the best in her future endeavours.

Share your news. Have something new and exciting to share? Contact us at alumnae@smls.on.ca.

Hanne Poulsen ‘20

We were proud to welcome Hanne back to SMLS as she completed a 90hour practicum as part of her Concurrent Education program with Queen’s University. At the end of this five-year program, Hanne will earn both her Bachelor of Music and her Bachelor of Education.

Hanne aspires to be a teacher one day, and impact children’s lives just as she was impacted by her teachers at SMLS. “Experiencing the support and motivation that each teacher gave to me at SMLS changed my life as they helped me become confident and hardworking when it comes to investing in my future. This has inspired me to become a teacher who can help guide students and give them the support and opportunities they deserve in their education.”

During her practicum at SMLS, Hanne has been an incredible resource for our staff, and played a large part in the Middle and Senior School Music & Visual Arts Evening on May 16.

In addition, Hanne has just released her very first single, ‘Words Unsaid’, which can be found on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and many more platforms. Hanne writes songs throughout her life as a way of expression, and has a goal to produce and release one every summer. She has taken great joy in sharing her music, and says “it is one of the best feelings to see how an acoustic song I write with only the piano or guitar, can grow and become something completely different in the studio”.

We are excited to see where life takes you, Hanne. Congratulations!

Kate Thomson ‘20

SMLS would like to congratulate Kate Thomson ‘20 on her recent acceptance into the Ivey Business School at Western University for the upcoming school year.

Kate graduated from SMLS in June 2020 and started Western University in September, working towards her BA in Media, Information and Technoculture. She has been a Dean’s Honour List Recipient (2020-2022), a recipient of one of Western’s National Scholarships (2020/21) and was one of 15 students of the class of 2024 to receive a four-year Faculty Entrance Scholarship.

Kate is grateful to everyone who helped her to achieve these accomplishments over the past three years and is looking forward to September following a busy summer working in Whistler, BC at the Fairmont Resorts and Hotels as a Golf Services Professional!

Katrina Scheuring ‘22

Katrina Scheuring ‘22 shared the following news with SMLS:

“I am so happy to announce that I have achieved my Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at the Gold level. This award takes 52 hours of service (I did Mentoring Mom’s marketing volunteering), skill (I learned to play guitar), and physical activity (I took boxing classes). This award also includes an adventurous journey, where some friends and I went camping and completed a research project, and a gold project, where I completed a virtual exchange with a girl from Nova Scotia who will also be attending Queen’s Commerce with me next year. This award taught me so much and gave me the opportunity to make lifelong friends and memories! I could not have had the success I have had with this award if it were not for the amazing support and

encouragement that SMLS gave me, so I truly cannot thank this school community and the entire global citizenship team enough!”

Ella Chau ‘22

Ella Chau ‘22 shared the following news with SMLS:

“I am proud to announce that I have completed my Gold Level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Through my gold, I learned many lessons from committing to 52 hours of service, physical activity, and skill as well as completing an adventurous journey and gold project. The activities that I chose to pursue were leading SMLS’s She’s the First Chapter (service), long distance running (physical activity), and playing the violin and piano (skill). I also created a workshop to support the mental health of students in Halton as my gold project and planned a camping/hiking trip to Pinery Provincial Park with a few friends as my adventurous journey.”

“Working on my gold allowed me to remain committed to my activities, even throughout the pandemic as I adapted to the restrictions in place. Some adaptations I had to make included having zoom lessons for violin and piano, planning a virtual workshop rather than in-person, and creating my own adventurous journey rather than joining a pre-existing one. Overall, through completing my gold, I learned the importance of being flexible, persistent, and always staying accountable. I greatly appreciate the Global Citizenship and Diversity Department at SMLS for supporting me through my Duke of Edinburgh Award journey and my completion of gold.”

SMLS REMEMBERS...

Dorothy June McBurney (née Duncan) (Past Junior School Teacher 1981-1993)

On Mothers’ Day, May 8, 2022, Dorothy June McBurney (née Duncan) passed at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in her 90th year. She is survived by her husband, Warren, of 63 years; Margaret Thomas (Phil), Lynn, Neil and Alyssa and son Wray, Graham and Emma; Alison Dunn (Glen), Leah and Tyler and children Fox and Aspen, Luke; and Jennifer Skinner (Don) Indigo and Jasper; and June’s brother Don. She has been rejoined with her parents, Rev. and Mrs. James G. Duncan, her sister Margie and her brother Charles.

A child of the Baptist parsonage, she grew up on The Island (PEI) and New Brunswick, Quebec and finally Ontario where she and Warren met in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Western. She earned her BA from Western and her BEd from U of T and had a rewarding career as a teacher in Collingwood then in Oakville at Speers and St. Mildred’s Girls’ School.

Elizabeth Anne FINCHAM McEwan ‘52 (SMC - 1945-1947)

Elizabeth Anne McEwan (Liz) passed at home in Oxnard, California from complications of COPD on January 12th, 2022, at age 88. She had been surrounded by family leading up to her passing.

Liz was born July 11,1933 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She and her paternal grandparents immigrated to America during her youth. She met the love of her life and husband Alfred John(Ian) McEwan in 1955. Liz is survived by her husband Ian (whom she called her “rock”), three children, Larry McEwan (Sharon), Linda McEwan, Brenda Platzelman (Scotty), as well as her other daughter’, Madelaine Shenkel (Bill) a stepsister that she raised alongside

her children. She also is survived by eight wonderful grandchildren, Kristine (Giovanni) Jeannette (Brett), Scott (Sara), Steven (Lexie), Kimberly (Darryl), Karen, Becca and Madison and twelve treasured great grandchildren, Kyleigh, Leif, Ian, Taryn, Tayler, Nikolas, Kody, Jack, Poppy, Clover, Kennedy and Brayden, along with five cherished great-great grandchildren, Ireland, Mason, Maci, Theo and Salem and her niece Lisa Shenkel and nephew Michael Shenkel.

Anne Reid (Former Kindergarten Teacher)

Anne Reid passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2022. Anne began teaching at SMLS in 1970, and remained for nearly 30 years. She made a lasting impression on many families, and was still hearing from and meeting appreciative students and parents until the time of her passing. Anne’s daughter, Sue Reid-Kulpaka, also taught at SMLS.

Anne is survived by her daughter, Sue, and her children, Emily (Thor), and Meredith; and son, Rob (Sheri), and their children Jonathan (Mehria), Rebecca, Julia and Charlotte. She was predeceased by her sister Susan Whittall. Anne’s memory will live on through her family and friends, the recipes she shared, the projects she knit, and a bowl of homemade soup with lunch.

Margaret Felicia IRETON Van Nostrand ‘54 (SMC - 1940-1954)

November 23, 1936 - May 1, 2022

Beloved mother, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend, Felicia van Nostrand died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, just as she had wanted. Predeceased by her husband, Innes van Nostrand (2005), she leaves her sons, including Innes (Alison Holt) and Andrew (Caroline); brother John Ireton (Pam); sister, Elizabeth Ireton; grandchildren, Jack, Claire, Alec, Will and Andy; and countless close friends and relatives. Born to Margaret Cook and Prof. H.J.C. Ireton, Felicia was a lifetime resident of Deer Park in Toronto. She grew up at 76 Lonsdale Road, married the boy across the street, raised a family one street north (they had a gate in the backyard to her parents’ yard), and was overjoyed when her three sons and sister eventually all joined the Walmsley Boulevard family compound. Fizzy - as she was known to her school friends - made lifelong friends at St. Mildred’s College and at the University of Toronto’s School of Nursing (where she also made a name for herself on the basketball team). After working in paediatric and outpatient nursing, Felicia married Innes in 1963, honeymooning in Muskoka where they famously built an outhouse for the family cottage. In addition to raising three rambunctious boys, Felicia returned to work as an occupational health nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she looked after her colleagues and developed deep friendships that went beyond her retirement in 1996.

Elizabeth BROWNELL Westman Wilson ‘53 (SMC)

Elizabeth died peacefully on April 11, five days after suffering a massive stroke and eleven days after joyously celebrating her 87th birthday with a few close friends. She was the daughter of Ralph and Evelyn (Westman) Brownell and predeceased by her former husband, Philip Wilson. She is survived by a family she loved and mentored: her daughters Julia Deans (Graeme) and Diana Lawrence (David) and their children, Ben, Penny (Andrea), Cameron, and Gwen; Ian Montagnes, her husband for 38 happy years; and stepchildren David Montagnes (Fiona), Joan Montagnes (Martin), and John Mahler (Eileen), Elizabeth was a strong dynamic woman with strong opinions and a big, generous heart. She was endlessly interested in other people and was never happier than when entertaining them. As a professional and volunteer, she worked for organizations that spread knowledge locally and internationally. She was an artist, author, opera lover, communicator, community builder and leader. She relished seizing each fresh creative opportunity, whether that was writing an introduction to Oriental ceramics while living in the Philippines, advising on fundraising in Azerbaijan, visiting the antiquities of Iran at 80, or co-founding both a jazz festival and a series of opera talks in Port Hope, where she and Ian moved in 1996. Celebrations of her life will be held in Toronto in May and beside her pool in Port Hope in midsummer.

INSPIRED GIRLS. EMPOWERED WOMEN.

SMLS is a place where young women are empowered to challenge and transform the world. We support each student’s interests, talents, learning needs and strengths, and our worldclass facility and Signature Programs equip her to achieve excellence in whatever path she chooses.