In Memoriam

Remembering Queen's alumni.

Those Who Have Passed

Sharing memories of friends, faculty, and colleagues - In Memoriam helps you honour those who have recently passed.

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  • Dr. Brian Clare Bailey, In Memoriam

    1960s

    Dr. Brian Clare Bailey

    鈥 BA鈥64, MD鈥68

    Brian Clare Bailey, March 31, 1943 to Feb. 15, 2025. 

    A man with a giant heart, a keen wit and an endless desire to learn, grow and evolve, Brian Bailey passed away at 82 years young after a sudden illness at Ottawa Heart Institute. 

    He began life as an only child but left it cherished, respected and loved by everyone he touched and helped. Brian is sadly missed by his loving wife, Nancy Defalco; their children, Andrew and Jennifer Reoch (husband, Steve Deschamps); grandson, Declan Reoch; and many cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law and their families. 

    He had an open mind and open heart, open arms and an open door, hosting colleagues, friends and family until his final days with hearty laughs, hugs, heartfelt joy and lots of food and red wine. 

    Born and raised in Smiths Falls, Brian earned his Doctor of Medicine at Queen鈥檚 and practiced family medicine before shifting focus to psychotherapy. In his last two years of medical school, he worked as a live-in child psychotherapist. That sparked a life-long passion for helping people overcome emotional/mental health issues to live full, fruitful lives. Thus began his quest to study many eclectic ideas and concepts, incorporating and shaping them into the many wellness programs he created and delivered over his very active life. He was a writer, painter, doctor, acupuncturist, mentor, trainer, educator, husband, father, grandpa, friend and confidante. 

    Brian created a rustic retreat in the woods as a safe, tranquil place for his transformational programs. For decades, he and wife, Nancy, put their souls into expanding and evolving Econiche House as a couples retreat, a space for NGOs to renew and even a wedding venue for lives to join together, including the wedding of daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Steve. Brian never saw his patients as sick and in need of healing. Through his lens, people all possessed within them the possibility of change and a life of splendour. He always found innovative solutions to overcome obstacles that prevented people from being able to say yes to participation in programs and life. He didn鈥檛 believe that things in life happen without an overarching reason. So certain was he of the evolution of humanity that he dedicated his life鈥檚 work to contributing to it. 

    Brian never truly retired, choosing to remain actively involved in writing, research and in mentoring others to carry on delivering his latest program, Acudestress. In work and in life, he was on a journey of the mind, body and spirit. A hopeful life well lived. 

    He left us with these inspiring words: 鈥淩emember, miracles are to come. I am not saying goodbye, but good sailing. Imagine lots!鈥 

    These lyrics by John Denver sum up Brian鈥檚 journey through life. 鈥淲hat one man can do is dream. What one man can do is love. What one man can do is change the world. And make it young again. Here you see what one man can do.鈥

  • 1970s

    Gary Ralph Peck聽

    鈥 BEd鈥72

    Gary Ralph Peck passed away peacefully in the early hours of March 8, 2025, at Health Sciences North after a brief illness. Gary is survived by his daughter, Laura McMahon and her husband, Brian; son, David; wife, Karen; and his beloved grandchildren, Owen and Gavin. He is also survived by his partner, Rochelle True; brother, Brian and his wife, Cindy; and niece, Tami; and nephew, Jim. 

    Born in Leeds County in 1946 and raised in Parry Sound by his parents, Ralph and Bernice, he completed his undergraduate degree at Queen鈥檚 and his master鈥檚 at the University of Waterloo. With his now former wife, Diane Raddatz, they moved to Sudbury, where Gary began teaching at Garson High School. He then moved to Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, where he taught for 35 years, winning public school teacher of the year in 2007 鈥 his last year at Lo-Ellen Park. As a beloved teacher and colleague at Lo-Ellen Park, Gary imparted his passion for Canadian history and the transformative impact of learning. He always enjoyed running into former students, and he also made lifelong friends with his colleagues, who appreciated his quick wit and dedication to his chosen career. Gary never gave up on a student and worked hard to ensure every student who entered classroom #344 left feeling valued. 

    Although Gary moved to Sudbury in his mid-20s, he was committed to his adopted hometown. He wrote a weekly local history column, 鈥淭he Not-so-Distant Past,鈥 for The Sudbury Star and was proud to sit as the city councilor for Ward 3 in the 1980s. 

    Over 40 years ago, Gary was instrumental in starting the Sudbury Genealogical Society, and later in life he was an active member of the Sudbury District Branch of the Ontario Geological Society, helping to document cemeteries throughout the Sudbury Region with a dedicated team and Rochelle by his side. 

    Gary鈥檚 love of Canadian history extended to collecting a variety of antiques. He especially enjoyed taking his children on antique hunting adventures around the province.

  • Martha McConnachie, In Memoriam

    1970s

    Martha McConnachie

    鈥 BMUS鈥76

    It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Martha McConnachie on April 1, 2025. She passed quietly in her sleep. 

    She was born on Oct. 3, 1954, in Mt. Kisco, New York, to the late Thomas and Helen (Tice) McLaren. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Nancy Lee McLaren, and brother-in-law, Mark Gilligan, of Delhi, NY.

    Martha was a vibrant and generous soul. She will be deeply missed by her devoted husband of 52 years, Daniel; her daughters, Grace (Jason) McConnachie and Sarah (Sean) McConnachie; her grandchildren, Alice Ngo and Maggie Landsman; her brother, James (Nancy Jean) McLaren; her nieces, Jamie McLaren and Casey McLaren; and numerous friends.

    Martha and Daniel met at Queen鈥檚 and were married in 1973. She was from a long line of Queen's grads: her grandfather, Arthur McLaren (MEng鈥11); her uncle, Jim McLaren (MEng鈥39); and her dad, Tom McLaren (BComH鈥49). Our daughter, Grace McConnachie, is also a Queen's grad (Artsci鈥06) and Nutritional Science 2008. They were married for 52 years.

    Martha had a wonderful 30-year career as an elementary music teacher. Music, family, reading and travel were her passions. 

  • Judy Georgijev (nee Beaudry), In Memoriam

    1980s

    Judy Georgijev (nee Beaudry)

    鈥 BSc鈥88

    Tomorrow is not promised. It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of Georgijev, Judy (Beaudry) of St. Thomas, who passed away peacefully at her residence on Dec. 18, 2024, at the age of 59. Beloved wife of Boris Georgijev; cherished mother of Chloe and Ethan; dear sister of Rick Beaudry (Jennifer Lovelady).

    Judy was born on June 23, 1965, to the late George and Betty (Milligan) Beaudry. She was a loving daughter-in-law to Barica Georgijev (late Trajan); sister-in-law to Walter and Karen Georgijev; devoted cousin, niece and aunt to her extended family.

    A proud graduate with honours at Queen's, majoring in Life Sciences. Judy began her career in bovine homeopathy before spending 30 years at Trojan Technologies, starting in purchasing and later excelling in sales, where she spent the rest of her career.

    Judy's 麻豆传媒 joy came from her children, family, friends and her dog, Ivy. She loved hosting events for family and friends, was an avid reader, enjoyed board games and was always ready for a good game of Euchre. She had a passion for travel, the outdoors, camping and anything on the water.

    Throughout her courageous journey with cancer, Judy was an incredible inspiration. She never allowed her illness to define her, instead focusing on her family and others with unwavering strength and positivity. Her generosity knew no bounds, and her radiant smile illuminated every room she entered. Judy always gave more than she received back. Through to her last breath, she was more worried about her family than herself. A remarkably selfless life lived.

    "The sun shines in every sky. Just look beyond the clouds into tomorrow."

  • 1970s

    Kevin Whitaker聽

    鈥 BA/PHE鈥79聽

    Kevin Whitaker died naturally at home in North Hatley, surrounded by love, on Jan. 1, 2025. After graduating from Queen鈥檚 with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Physical and Health Education, Kevin pursued a career in law, eventually serving as a judge on the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He described that role as his 鈥渇avourite job,鈥 one he left only when Parkinson鈥檚 disease 鈥 and later, Dementia with Lewy Bodies 鈥 interrupted his judicial work.

    In his final decade, Kevin turned to painting, donating the proceeds to support research into these neurological diseases. He raised over $200,000 through the sale of his paintings. He remained close with his Queen鈥檚 PHE roommates throughout his life, and they supported him to the very end, including commissioning a piece titled Queen鈥檚: Before, During, and After, which now hangs in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies. Kevin described the work as representing a 鈥渕oment鈥 in the life of a Queen鈥檚 student 鈥 each moment encompassing the student鈥檚 entire life experience, merging 鈥渆verything鈥 with 鈥渘ow鈥 (Queen鈥檚 Alumni Review, 2019, vol. 94, num. 4). In his artist鈥檚 statement for the painting, Kevin wrote: 鈥淚 was diagnosed, in 2015, with Parkinson鈥檚 with Lewy Body Dementia. From the outset, the lessons learned from my PHE studies have served me well. As I have navigated this disease, I have learned the value of stress management to improve physiological health. In my case, the stress management has been primarily through daily exercise 鈥 a practice I cultivated at Queen鈥檚 and have maintained ever since 鈥 and, more recently, daily painting.鈥 

    On Feb. 1, in Toronto, hundreds of friends and family gathered to celebrate Kevin鈥檚 life. The event, titled 鈥淏ella Ciao鈥 in honour of his love for meaningful ideas and Venice, can be viewed .

  • Ann E. M. Walmsley, In Memoriam

    1950s

    Ann E. M. Walmsley

    鈥 Arts鈥57

    We are sad to announce the passing of Ann Elizabeth Munro Walmsley (nee Hewson), aged 91, who passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Kingston General Hospital. Ann slipped away peacefully with her family by her side.

    Ann was predeceased by her husband, Douglas (BA鈥57, LLM鈥60); and beloved son, Ian (BA鈥87). She is survived by her brother, James Hewson; her devoted son, Chris (Sc鈥91, MSc鈥98); and his wife, Linda; and her two cherished grandchildren, Drew and Benjamin. Ann took great pride in her family.

    Ann was born and raised in the small town of Thornbury. After high school she found a job at Sick Kids in Toronto as a x-ray technician before heading to university in Kingston. She graduated from Queen鈥檚 with an Arts degree in 1957 and was a proud alumna. It was at Queen鈥檚 where she met her future husband, Doug. Immediately following graduation, she took a job at the Chalk River Nuclear facility. Later returning to Kingston, she worked at a DND Lab on the base while living in the small annex to what is now the revitalized Frontenac Club.

    Ann and Doug married in 1963 and settled in Toronto, where Ann worked as a research scientist for the Government of Ontario Virology Lab. In 1965 they moved to Picton when Doug joined the family law practice. After starting their family, they eventually moved into Heatherbrae, their home on Main Street for many years, of which Ann was so proud. While raising her family in Picton, Ann devoted herself to numerous creative and entrepreneurial endeavors, notably organizing and running the first Bed & Breakfast network in Picton.  

    With her sons at Queen鈥檚, Ann returned to Toronto to take care of her ailing mother in the family home. After that time, Ann remained in Toronto and maintained an active and social life there until moving to Kingston in recent years to be closer to her family. 

    Ann was a gracious, intelligent, and independent woman. She stayed engaged with current affairs, and reading the G&M was a daily ritual. She enjoyed travelling and experiencing the different cultures of the places she visited. Most importantly, Ann treasured time with her family, friends, and the heritage that shaped her. Her timeless style and genteel manner will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. Ann will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. Her legacy of love and grace will endure in the hearts of those who loved her.