Remembering Dr. Shirley Thomson (1930 – 2010)

WUSC would like to extend deepest condolences to the family and friends of Shirley Thomson, former WUSC Associate Secretary General and board member. Ms. Thomson died in her sleep at the age of 80.

Born in St. Mary’s Ontario, Ms. Thomson attended the University of Western Ontario where she began her relationship with WUSC as a Local Committee Member. In 1951 she participated in WUSC’s International Seminar in Canada.

In the early 1960s she became Associate Secretary General for the WUSC Secretariat. She continued to participate in International Seminars, this time as an advisor in 1963 and 1964. Afterwards, Ms. Thomson became a member of WUSC’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Thomson is best remembered as a great advocate for the arts. Throughout her long and distinguished career, she served as head of the National Gallery of Canada. She was also on the board of the Ottawa Art Gallery, a director for the Canada Council for the Arts, and taught at the University of Ottawa for the Department of Visual Arts.