The obituary mentioned that she published a book of poetry in 2004. I didn't know that! I'd love to have a copy.
----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Kuin <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:18:21 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: sad news
I have the happiest memories of Elizabeth, who was a Kalamazoo friend and whom I once visited at her and Graeme's house in London, Ontario. I remember that one year, I believe driving back from K'zoo, she and I had a long and enjoyable discussion on astrology in the back of Kent Hieatt's ancient blue Pontiac. She was a former journalist, who as a very young reporter (I think) had been the first one to receive Igor Gouzenko, the Russian cipher clerk in Ottawa who defected to Canada in 1945. A high point in her life, she said. She was wise and amusing both, and Anne Prescott's suggestion of a toast to her at next year's Kalamazoo is something I second wholeheartedly.
Roger Kuin
On Jul 26, 2011, at 7:07 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
I'm pleased to have all the information in the notice that John Leonard has posted: evidence of a very full and satisfying life. Elizabeth and I met at Kalamazoo when we were both past the middles of our careers. We had been pursuing similar arcane interests for decades, and were both struggling to pull the cogent parts of all we knew into publishable form. We egged each other on. Elizabeth knew the fascination of what's difficult, yet her voice, in person and in print, was notable for its deep sincerity.
Jon Quitslund
--- On Tue, 7/26/11, John Leonard <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: John Leonard <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: sad news
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2011, 10:29 AM
Here is the notice that my department chair circulated this morning. I overlapped with Elizabeth for but one year here at Western before she retired (1987-8), but have very fond memories of her.
ELIZABETH BIEMAN (nee FRASER) Professor Emeritus, University of Western Ontario. Died peacefully July 24, 2011 in her 89th year. Deeply loved wife of 65 years of Graeme Bieman. Cherished mother of Cory and Simon Davies and of Kristin and Al Vilcius. Adoring grandmother of Evan and Yufei Davies, Kenneth Davies, Erik and Sheri Vilcius and Joey Vilcius and her partner Christopher Kleberg. Great-grandmother of Reverie and Isabel. Survived by her brother Robert Fraser of Ottawa. She will be fondly remembered for her grace, courage and generosity. Elizabeth Bieman was Professor of English at Western and a member of that department's stellar group of Renaissance scholars during the 1970s and 80s. She is best known for her work on Spenser which culminated in the publication of Plato Baptised: Towards the Interpretation of Spenser's Mimetic Fictions (1988). She co-founded the Spenser Review, one of the leading journals in the field. In addition, Elizabeth's publications ranged widely in Renaissance drama, most notably William Shakespeare: The Romances (1990) and extended into Nineteenth Century British and contemporary Canadian poetry. Her book of poems The Reach of Winter Branches appeared in 2005. Elizabeth and Graeme shared a love of art, music and golf; they travelled extensively. Visitation on Thursday, July 28 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St., at Richmond. Funeral Service at Church of St. John the Evangelist, 280 St. James St., London, on Friday, July 29 at 11 a.m. A brief lunch reception in the Church Hall will follow. Interment at a later time in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Donations to Parkwood Hospital Palliative Care or a charity of your choice gratefully accepted. "The reach of winter branches through my window roots me in the sky."
Published in the Toronto Star on July 26, 2011
----- Original Message -----
From: Sean Henry
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 12:56 PM
Subject: Re: sad news
For some reason, I'm having trouble getting the link to the Globe and Mail obituary, but the same notice appears here:
http://www.canadianobituaries.com/elizabeth-bieman-obituary-july-24-2011.html
Sean.
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Sean Henry, B.A., M.A., PhD.
Lecturer, Department of English
University of Victoria, B.C., Canada
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