Obituary of Ann Elizabeth Crysdale - Gourlie

To listen to Ann's Music from the Toronto Board of Education Archives, please copy and paste the link below into your browser. https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/maurice-cody-1979-grade-6-graduation-concert/pl.u-PDb4YYZTL6a2dB Ann Elizabeth Crysdale - Gourlie (1944 - 2023 ) "In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset, At a moment in my life when the night is due. And the question I shall ask only I can answer -- 'Was I brave and strong and true? 'Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?'" ~ Leslie Bricusse Ann was born on December 14th in WIlliam's Lake, B.C. to her wonderful parents Rev. Stewart and Thelma (Holmes) Crysdale. They then moved to Rutland (Kelowna), and when they moved to Brantford, Ontario in 1952, her brother David Stewart was born. She married Jack Gourlie on Christmas Eve, 1989, and in 1992 they moved to Orillia. Music was always a big part of Ann's life. She gave her first vocal solo at church at the age of 10 days old, and she mightily chomped and teethed on the ivories of her Mom and Dad's piano. She gained her Piano Solo Performer's degree under the magnificent expertise of Doreen Uren Simmons, and learned so much from the mentorship, guidance and friendship of Jim Maben, Dr. David Ouchterlony, Mark and Nan Perry, Natalie Kuzmich, Betty Kovacs and Daphiny Stewart. Ann taught music in several Toronto schools, Lord Dufferin, Glen Ames, Hodgson and Maurice Cody, before becoming a Music Consultant for the Toronto Board of Education. Ann often gave educational workshops and adjudicated piano, voice and choral across Canada. Along the way, she also taught at the Faculty of Education, U. of T., the additional qualifications courses at U. of T., and later headed up these courses for York University. She also taught in Ha Noi, North Viet Nam, and adjudicated on three separate occasions at Hong Kong's 5 week festival, in vocal, piano and choral sessions. Such a wonderful, fulfilling life! "The flowers that bloom in the spring (Tra la) Breathe promise of merry sunshine, As we merrily dance and we sing (Tra la), We welcome the hope that they bring". ~ Gilbert and Sullivan Ann is survived by Jack Gourlie, her loving husband of 34 years. She leaves behind Jack's children: Lynda Lou, Bill (d. 2006) (Trish Wells), (Candy Albo), Diane, and Jeannine (John Dowley); Jack’s 7 grandchildren: Annie (Noah Wortsman), Lisa (Joe Winkfein), Michelle (Stavros Stathonikos), Chelsee, David, Bill, and Kaitlin (Steve Tossman); and his 7 great-grandchildren: Jack, Claire, Julia, Sam, Leo, Yani and Chase. She will be missed by her nephew Peter, (Rachel Rhodes-Devey) and their son Oliver, and her niece Carolyn, (Jon Shattuck) and their girls, Dotty and Rory, as well as Ann's cousins and their children. Ann's friends from public school, high school, teaching and colleagues will miss her friendship and constant encouragement. Very special thanks must go to Dr. Maarten Reinders, Dr. Heather Laakso, Dr. Noah Wortsman, and their respective staff members, who provided such exceptional care and humour. "So life's a song that I must sing, A gift of love I must share. And when I see the joy it brings, My spirits soar to the air! Like the bird up in the sky, Life has taught me how to fly. And now I know what I can be -- And now my heart is flying free!" ~ Don Besig Please "merrily dance and sing to welcome the hope that they bring" and spread the joy, in honour of Ann. Tra la!