Florence Rebecca Thomson
March 24, 1926 – February 3, 2014
“Becky”
Peacefully, on Monday morning, February 03rd, 2014, with over 87 years of stories and fun and teaching and song, Becky departed. Predeceased by her parents, Eleanor Thomson (nee Walls) and Samuel Thomson, Denfield, Ontario, and her sister, Agnes Somerville (Strathroy), and brother George Thomson (Ilderton). A much-loved Aunt of Jane Somerville, Mary Pennell and Neil Somerville plus the Grand Aunt to Jordan and Julian Caspari, Becky and Joel Somerville, and Robert and Alex Dixon, and the Great Grand Aunt to great nephews and nieces numbering 22 in all. Becky was a facilitator of life, fun and mischief. Named the Woman on the Move in 1998 (Toronto Sun), this award only begins to capture her creativity, adaptability and independence. Her first job as a teacher at Lake Wilcox prepared her for her further specialties of Music and Special Education; then years at O.M. McKillop, Crosby Heights, Donhead Secondary, and Charles Howitt, where she taught music.
Becky always reminded us “For the concert of life, no one gets a programme.” Her life’s libretto led her to be a founding member of the Earl Terry Singers in 1948, over 40 years with the Mendelssohn Choir, and a founding member of Ensemble TrypTych Chamber Choir.
Becky won the Betty Bedner Volunteer Award from AboutFace, 1988. She was an active member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Toronto; and an avid traveler (often with Consort Caratatis).
A service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for the life of Becky Thomson will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2737 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, on Saturday, March 08, 2014 at 11am followed by Lunch and Refreshments at the Church. Donations in lieu of flowers are welcome at www.aboutface.ca.
At her direction, Becky will be buried in the family plot in Carlisle United Church Cemetery, Carlisle, Ontario, on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11:00 AM.
Please click on the link for the location of the Carlisle Cemetery, North Middlesex (Map shows Exeter, but that is the correct location of the cemetery)
https://www.google.ca/maps/
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Margaret MacDonald (ne Fisher)
I met Becky in 1953 when I joined the Earl Terry Singers. She had a beautiful Alto voice. I know she has joined the group of “Earle’s Girls” who have passed on before her. No doubt she is now singing under Mr. Terry’s direction in Heaven. What a great sound that will be to greet me when I go. Till then I will miss your great smile and stories.
Marilyn T. Johnson
I first met Becky at GMAC in London and in the early 60’s Becky shared an apartment in Toronto with my sister and I. I have shared many wonderful times with her and many laughs. Becky was a ray of sunshine as well as I used to call her a sparky “Song Bird”.
Becky will be missed by all of her friends
Mary-Elizabeth Seabrook
Becky was the first smiling face I encountered upon joining the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. She welcomed me with open arms and I loved her from that moment forward. When we moved to Halifax, NS, she was one of our first visitors. We spent over a week exploring our new province together and shared many wonderful stories. When I think of courageous women, Becky leaps to mind. I am so fortunate to have been able to call her a friend!
Pat (Kevin) & Marina Tolan and Dizzy Izzy
Becky and Gordo (as used to call him) and my family go waaaaaaaaaaay back to the Mendelssohn choir. (I was not a member but my mom & dad – Milt & Isabel Pierce) were. Becky was an inspiration to all who had the honour of knowing her. We know that she is up in in heaven with past members of the TMC getting a choral group started and they would have to decide as to who would be the conductor – Sir Ernest or Elmer!!
RIP Becky, we love you – 24 the Links will never be the same without you
Jim & Doreen Flynn
It was our pleasure to meet Becky through her brother George. Her energy and fun-loving outlook on life was always evident. We’ll never forget the first time we heard her sing! She will surely be missed.
Anna Pileggi, AboutFace
Becky was an inspiration to many. She loved to be with others, love to make people laugh, loved to help any one she could. She was a wonderful woman who always looked at the bright side of life. Music and friends were her magic beans and she shared them with all who she touched. She was generous of spirit, kind and loving. She will be missed deeply. Although it is sad to think that she has left us, it is comforting to know that she is free and able to rejoice in her new home where I am very sure she will be causing trouble, making people laugh again and making new friends.
You will be in our hearts forever Becky.
David & Heather Perritt
David & I sang in Mendelssohn Choir from 1971-1980. We knew & loved Becky. She was such a wonderful, happy soul. Reading her obituary we would never have guessed her age…..she seemed so young ….I guess she was at heart! I travelled on the European Tour with Mendelssohn in 1972 & got to know Becky really well during that time together. David & I have retired & now live in Fredericton, N.B. Many wonderful memories include Becky & our Mendelssohn friends. Sad to lose a dear friend in song.
John & Mary Walls
Becky’s many lifetime accomplishments must have been very rewarding for her. She was a kind and gracious lady.
May she rest in peace.
Lenard Whiting
Becky will be remembered and we’ll miss her. Becky entered my world at Trinity Presbyterian Church many years ago and from the get go sang her heart out both in the church choir and Ensemble TrypTych Chamber choir. She also traveled the world with me. We traveled to Austria twice, then to Kenora twice and even Albaquerque. She loved to travel, to sing, to party, and just live life to it’s fullest. She was a great travel companion and enthusiast as so many of us can attest. Always the center of attention, a true joy. I have many fond memories of spending time with Becky, however, one of the most memorable was spending time chatting with her on the veranda at the cottage on Lake of the Woods a few years ago.
Quoting a friend of Becky’s “we will find it extremely difficult to fathom a world without Becky in it! ”
We remember: “For the concert of Life No-one Has a programme”
Becky “the boo” Thomson (that’s Thomson without a “P”)
Ron Ley
I first met Becky at Crosby Heights in the late 60’s. She entered my life again as a teacher at Charles Howitt P.S. She was a devoted teacher who always strived to obtain the very best from every one of her students whether they were special needs students or not. Even though she faced enormous personal/medical struggles in her everyday life, she rarely missed a day of teaching as her students were so very important to her. Only a person of incredible personal strength could face every day with a joke and a smile and still be able to talk about her long fight with her medical issues. She is without doubt one of the most courageous human beings I have ever met in my life. She will be missed by every person who were fortunate enough to have crossed her path.
Elisabeth (Betty) Baugh
Knowing Becky was a gift in my life. A most remarkable woman, she overcame enormous challenges with a smile, a laugh and a song – she was gracious, kind and always thoughtful. Relieved her suffering is over – will think of her often and the many laughs we shared.
Bill Wilson
Becky was a wonderful, fun, lady who was one of the first members of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir that I had the delight to meet when I was a member of the now defunct Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir. She always addressed me as William and hada hug for me. Despite her medical challenges, Becky was a very faithful and long-standing member of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir who supported the choir both financially and through many volunteer activities. Becky was also a big supporter of the arts in general, always attending various concerts in the city and letting her friends know about concerts she was performing in herself. Although she fully admitted she wasn’t tech-savvy, Becky did manage to send emails and occupy her Facebook page with update information.
Becky will be very missed but she now has joined her best buddy Gord in Heaven with our Lord.
May she rest in peace and know she was loved by many friends and family!