Born 1937 in Toronto, Pamela Greene Osler Delworth died peacefully in her sleep on January 8th, 2022 in Ottawa. Predeceased by her parents, Barbara Greene and Britton Bath Osler, brothers Glyn, Derek and Fen, as well as husband, W. Thomas Delworth, former Canadian ambassador and Provost of Trinity College (U of T), Pam is survived by her loving son, Christopher Delworth, and his wife Elisabeth (Brodeur), and is fondly remembered by adoring nieces and nephews, faithful friends and colleagues. Her elegance, gentle kindness and intellectual curiosity will remain with us always.
At The Bishop Strachan School, Pam was a popular school Captain. After a year at Neuchatel, she went on to study art history at the University of Toronto. Following two years in Paris, Pam returned home to join the National Gallery of Canada in 1964 as a curator of Prints and Drawings, remaining until Tom's appointment in 1970 as Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia. Thereafter, Switzerland, Hungary, Sweden and Germany. Perhaps it had been her own mother's involvement with Hungarian refugees after the uprising in 1956 that made Pam such an enthusiastic representative of Canada and gracious hostess in her supporting role abroad. On returning to Canada in 1993, Pam began an active role as volunteer to the NGC, co-founding the Friends of the Print Room. Drafting its mandate and raising financial support through membership, she achieved a fine balance as educator and archivist, scrupulously directing the handling of fragile works on paper and the encouragement of a wider audience. In recognition, she was presented in 2004 with the Ontario Association of Art Galleries Award of Merit for outstanding dedication as a Volunteer.
Continuing to spend summer months at the family retreat in Métis Beach, it was only with the complications of a stroke suffered in 2015 that this lifelong sojourn was abandoned. She persevered with fortitude and grace.
The family is especially grateful to both the Rockcliffe and Edinburgh Retirement Residences, in particular, Dr. Heather Galbraith, nurses Catherine and Susan, and Pam’s physiotherapists for their loving care and support. Private family interment to be held at the Beechwood Cemetery. Family and friends will be invited to celebrate Pam's life at a memorial service to be arranged in the Spring.
Messages of Condolence may be left at www.beechwoodottawa.ca In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pam's memory to the Friends of the Print Room Trust, National Gallery of Canada are sincerely appreciated and may be directed to Lisa Turcotte, foundation@gallery.ca
Deepest condolences to Chris and the family of Mrs Delworth, a lovely and elegant human. She is missed and her legacy lives on.