Melanie TOWNSEND
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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 stepfather, 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 stepfather, 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 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. 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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Kristine D.
God bless you Mel!! R.I.P. so very sorry to hear about of her passing. I'll always cherish & remember camping with ya at Algonquin Park as kids and all the silly things we did together at Victoria Elementary School. Sincerest condolences and blessings to her family.
I did not know Melanie but I was reading this and wanted to leave a few words to her family and friends. I hope that this bible text can provide you with a little bit of comfort and hope as you continue to cope during this difficult time. Take care. John 5:28,29-"Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life..."
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Melanie. Death is never an easy thing to experience. But God gives us a wonderful promise. "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) What a marvelous time this will be! I hope this brings some comfort in such a difficult time.
John Will
I was saddened to hear of Meanie's passing. My connection with her was that she curated an exhibition of mine at the Walter Phillips Gallery at the Banff Centre. As a curator she was astute to the artist wishes and at the same time lent her intelligence and esthetic sensibilities to exhibitions and was reflected in her critical writing about the art that she curated.. As a person in general her sense of humor and caring for people will be greatly missed..