Obituary of Reginae Tait

Tait, Mrs. Reginae Mae (Stapleford), C.M. July 9, 1910 - September 19, 2012 Peacefully in her 102nd year at Bruyere Saint Vincent Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario . Daughter of the late Major Richard Homer and Lily May (Williamson) Stapleford of Watford. Predeceased by her sister Marjorie Olive and brothers Richard Harvey (Alice), Robert Laird (Julia)and Arthur Currie (Alice). For 62 years beloved wife of the late George E. Tait, Professor Emeritus of education at the University of Toronto. Loving mother of Gary (Sue Batth) and devoted grandmother of Jackson (Irene), Jasmine and James. She will be remembered by her family for her love, creativity and sense of adventure. In her early career, she taught elementary and junior high school in Windsor and summer art courses in St. Thomas, London and Sarnia. She served as Assistant Director of the Anglo-American School in Bogota, Colombia (1941-44). A committed volunteer, she was active in many organizations throughout her life. National President of the I.O.D.E. 1970-72, initiating projects for the care of premature babies and hearing-impaired children in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. A governor and first woman executive member of Frontier College 1969-79, a director of the Canadian National Exhibition Association 1980-87. Executive member of the John Graves Simcoe Foundation, securing the celebration of Simcoe Day in Ontario. President of the Health League of Canada 1979-82. Founding member of the National Action Committee, Status of Women and executive member on the steering committee for the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. One of first two women lay benchers for the Law Society of Upper Canada 1974-87, she was instrumental in establishing an Archives and Museum of Law and acquiring large heraldic stained glass windows for Osgoode Hall depicting the history of law in Canada. She made four journeys into the high Arctic 1970-74, including as a member of the Franklin Probe II expedition which searched for relics of the ill-fated voyage of Sir John Franklin in 1850 to discover the Northwest Passage. In 2002 appointed Member of the Order of Canada. 2002. Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012. The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by Dr. Kozminski and nursing staff of 4 South and North at Saint Vincent. A private family service will be held at the WATFORD CHAPEL OF DENNING FUNERAL DIRECTORS. For those who wish, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.denningfuneralhome.com Posted free at canadaobits.ca