Melanie Adaire Townsend
Died: December 19, 2018 | Place: University Hospital, London
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Obituary
TOWNSEND, Melanie Adaire …
Melanie Adaire Townsend, 50, died Wednesday, December 19, 2018 in London, Ontario with her husband by her side. She was born May 2, 1968 in Windsor, Ontario to Ada Fraser and Tom Townsend. That was also the city where she met her husband and partner of 22 years, Troy Ouellette. Melanie treasured their son, four-year-old Declan. Melanie spent childhood summers with her grandparents in Rondeau on Lake Erie. She grew up in Windsor with Ada and step father, Allan Macpherson. She attended Kennedy Collegiate and, after earning a B.A. from Western University and an M.A. in history from the University of Windsor, she began her career in the visual arts there, working at the Art Gallery of Windsor under Robert McKaskell, Helga Pakasaar and Nataly Nagy. She subsequently became Curator of the Walter Phillips Gallery in Banff where she established lifelong friendships with many in the national and international arts community. In 2004, she moved to Museum London as Head of Exhibitions and Collections. There, she became a respected colleague and beloved friend to whomever she met. She was a board member of the Ontario Association of Art Galleries and active with numerous charities. Her interests included: family, gardening and working with artists. Because she grew up in Windsor she was sometimes known as the “Blue Collar Curator.” Melanie is survived by her son, husband, father and step father, and by her loving aunt, Carol Bishop. The family is looking into establishing an arts scholarship in Melanie’s name. More details will be available at the memorial. Friends will be received by the family for Visitation from 2-5 pm and 7-9pm on Friday, January 4, 2019 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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My deepest sympathy to all of Melanie’s loved ones. I’ve known Melanie since 1973 and she was one of the nicest, kindest people you could ever know–all integrity and a good good heart indeed. What a great loss to this world this is.
Sending all my love to Melanie’s family and friends. Canada, and London have lost a tremendous spirit in the arts.
I offer my sincere condolences to Troy and all of Melanie’s family, friends and co-workers. I had the pleasure and honour of working with Melanie at The Banff Centre and have since followed her ongoing contributions to the Canadian and international art world. I am so sorry to learn of her passing. She will be missed as a creative force and wonderful individual.
I am saddened by this news. It has been a long time since I had the fortune to work with Melanie. She was a strong voice and her influence on Canadian art will he felt into the future. My sympathies to Troy and family. Heartfelt. Jenifer
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. I attended elementary and high school with Melanie and I knew her well. We had so much fun! She was a wonderful, caring and fun friend who could always make us laugh. I remember many wonderful outings and sleepovers at her home. She was unique. Although I gradually lost touch with her as we separated to attend different universities and pursue different career paths, I remember Melanie with great fondness. She touched my life and many others in such a positive way.
Melanie was a wonderful friend and Museum London colleague. She tackled life with inner strength, determination, intelligence and humour. My heartfelt condolences to Troy, Declan and Melanie’s family.
My sincere condolences to Melanie’s family. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Melanie was such a vitally engaged curator and colleague to so many in London, across Ontario — and across the country. Melanie was such a thoughtful and generous contributor when I worked at OAAG. She is taken far too soon. Demetra Christakos
I am so sorry for your loss. Melanie was one of my closest friends in grade school and high school. Some of my fondest memories include teaching her to say the Greek alphabet and how to Greek dance. We lost touch after high-school but reconnected in graduate school at the University of Windsor. She was an amazing person and I will never forget her.
So very sorry to hear of Melanie’s passing. My deepest condolences to Troy and all of her family and loved ones. She left a mark on the arts community of London and will be greatly missed.
We are very saddened to learn of Melanie’s death. Our heaetfelt sympathy to Troy and family, and to Melanie’s friends and colleagues at Museum London, at this time of deep loss. Our thoughts are with you. Joscelyn and Ewan.
I will remember Melanie as strong, smart and hard working. She dedicated her life to family and the many artists she supported. A true role model I was lucky to have known and worked with. Condolences to Troy, Declan and family. Dianne, Gerardo and Maeve
Words cannot adequately express how profoundly sad it is to lose such a beautiful person. I have many fond memories of Melanie at our family gatherings. She was a generous,kind person and fun to be around. I will miss her. My heart goes out to you, Troy,Declan and Allan.
So sorry to hear of Melanie’s passing. I remember her fondly from both KCI and undergrad at Western. She was a wonderful and caring person. I wish all the best for Troy and Declan (and their families) as life unfolds. Melanie will be missed by all.
It was such an honour and joy to know Melanie and periodically work with her on various art committees. I will so miss her – she was a gem.
My condolences to the family. Sorry for your loss. Shirley
I went to high school with Melanie. My deepest sympathies to all her family members but most notably her husband and young son.
I had the great privilege to work with Melanie at Walter Phillips Gallery and to serve with her on the board of TRUCK in Calgary. Melanie, Troy and I carpooled 2 hours each day for three years where the three of us solved the world’s problems and became dear friends. A generous mentor, whip smart, always bringing integrity to both her work and friendships, all infused with sharp wit and humour, Melanie has inspired me both personally and professionally. I share my sincere sympathy with you Troy, Declan and Allan.
Troy, Declan and Family
At this unexpected time, I hold you and your family in the light and hope you can find some comfort from the many friends that you and Melanie had. May the memories of your life together help you through your day.
My condolences to those closes to Melanie, especially Troy and Declan. I met Melanie as a curator in London. Her passion for art and artists was always evident and she is already missed in our community. Peace be upon you.
Dear Troy,
I was so sorry to learn about Melanie. My thoughts are with you and Declan.
Marsh
Jack and Liz Corbett
So sad to hear the news of Melanie’s passing. We have known Melanie since her visit to Scotland many years ago shortly after Ada and Allan’s marriage.
She was a fantastic mother and wife and everything that might be expected of a daughter and more. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Troy, Declan and Allan at this difficult time.
My sincere condolences to Melanie’s family. A great loss to the museum profession and to the arts community.