FRANCES LYNNE AXWORTHY

Condolences & Memories (26 entries)

• I was saddened to hear of Lynne's passing. She was a colleague at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate several years ago. Lynne was a creative, innovative teacher and well respected by staff and students. She will be missed. - Posted by: Linda Ament (Colleague) on: Jan 22, 2015

• Lynne was an incredibly dynamic and engaging colleague. She was never afraid to ask tough questions or to go that extra mile in support of her students. She was student centred in her approach long before that term became fashionable. I enjoyed working with her and learned so much from that experience. I would like to convey to her family and friends my heartfelt condolences. - Posted by: Tom Matthews (Former colleague ) on: Jan 14, 2015

• Mrs. Axworthy was the first strong female role model that I can remember. Perhaps she was really the first woman I met with a substantial amount of *male* energy. You had to earn her respect and something about her made you want to earn it. She was a fine teacher but I always sensed that the person was more interesting than the subject matter. Whenever I have dreams of childhood and school, it's Mrs. Axworthy who emerges from the deep unconscious. - Posted by: Gregory Burns (student) on: Dec 23, 2014

• Condolences go out to Deb and the family. Lynne was such a character. - Posted by: Vivian MacDonald (friend) on: Dec 21, 2014

• My deepest condolences to Lynne's family. Lynne was the Founding Chairperson of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division. Her commitment and hard work were instrumental in helping to establish the Professional Division as an international training institution. Sincerely, David Moroni, Founding Director, Canada's RWB School, Professional Division - Posted by: David Moroni (Friend) on: Dec 18, 2014

• 'The Axe' was one of "those" amazing teachers who changed the lives of her students. She instilled in us a love of literature, introduced many of us to live theatre, and encouraged us to pursue dreams. I am incredibly grateful on a personal level that she cared deeply about me and so many of us and called forth our gifts. The world has lost a great light. I'm sure even her "yahoos" would agree. - Posted by: Suzanne St. Yves (Student at NMC) on: Dec 17, 2014

• I first met Mrs. Axworthy as a 15 year old who had been at English boarding school. Mrs. A helped make my transition to Canadian school so much easier. She was always a reassuring, & encouraging face. She instilled confidence & pride in her girls. I am very lucky to have been one of her girls. I was last lucky enough to have been in her company on wedding day. God Bless.xx - Posted by: Claire ( Monteiro) McCorquodale (Former BH student) on: Dec 17, 2014

• Though I did not know Lynne all that well at the time, some years ago I was able to persuade her to join the Board of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. There, she proved invaluable: tough, probing, opinionated, shrewd and brimming over with ideas and suggestions. This past summer she organized - over dinner in her apartment - one of the liveliest, most informal and most productive MCO Board meetings in recent memory - at a time when her own health was deteriorating significantly. She will be long missed and long remembered. - Posted by: Bill Neville (Friend) on: Dec 16, 2014

• I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister, Lynne. I am glad you were there with her in her last moments. I only knew Lynne through you and know how much she meant to you. My sincerest sympathies are with you and your family. - Posted by: Catherine Appler (friend of Lynne's sister, Deb Thorvalson) on: Dec 16, 2014

• Mrs Axworthy was one of the greats. She drove us to find our voices and in doing so, changed many of us from girls into thinking young women. I am grateful to have had her teach and inspire me. - Posted by: Alexandra Buechel (Former student (Balmoral Hall)) on: Dec 15, 2014

• Mrs Axworthy was one of the greatest teachers that I had, I will always remember her enthusiasm and devotion to teaching. - Posted by: Katrina Gee (Former student) on: Dec 15, 2014

• Lynne and I met in Kindergarten at Queenston School and went through school together. We lost track of each other but reconnected at the River and Osborne Safeway several years ago and managed to stay in contact for the next several years. I always knew that her strength would carry her throughout this disease that she battled for several years. Rest in Peace Lynne - Posted by: Beth Slotin Shore (friend) on: Dec 15, 2014

• She was the first teacher I met at BH and she help me transition in a life at private school. She was a great lady and she truly cared about her students. - Posted by: Charlene Kissock (Former Student) on: Dec 15, 2014

• When we think of truly amazing people who live life with passion and caring - we can think of Ms. Axworthy. At our ages now (1976 Grad) we can even appreciate her more for how she impacted our quality of education and experiences. She made the stage a hallowed playing ground. The BEST "Fiddler on the Roof" ever! Sincere condolences to the family. - Posted by: Dianne Boston-Nyp (Student at Nelson MacIntyre Collegiate) on: Dec 15, 2014

• Mrs Axworthy's productions at NMC were always magnificent, as she EXPECTED the students to put in as much effort as she did, which was 110%. And because of her enthusiasm & purpose, everyone did! If you slacked, she really let you know it, too! LOL. After she left our school, Mrs. Axworthy was still part of the NMC family by volunteering at the reunions. Gone, but not forgotten. Thank you for being a part of my life! - Posted by: Christine Ward (Former NELSON MAC student & Pres alumni association) on: Dec 15, 2014

• Ms. Axworthy literally taught me how to write. In Grade 10 English, she taught us that a paragraph is not 3 sentences, it is 9 sentences. She taught us that a paragraph needed a topic sentence, and then a fully developed idea, and then a concluding sentence. She taught us that we should use a quotation as supporting evidence, but that we should add our own opinion to demonstrate critical thinking. She introduced us to Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, she threw out an entire stack of abridged versions of Tom Sawyer (who bought those?), and fearlessly taught The Holocaust through the eyes of Anne Frank. As we studied literature, she could cover a chalkboard in one- and two-word phrases enough to keep you thinking for a week. She taught us the symbolism of F. Scott Fitzgerald, the vocabulary of Dickens, the humor of (the real) Mark Twain. She allowed us to see even ourselves in Lord of the Flies. Thank you, Ms. Axworthy - your teaching was a gift to us...hmmmmm? - Posted by: Adrian Hersak Miller (student at BH) on: Dec 15, 2014

• We extend our deepest condolences to Lynne's family and friends. - Posted by: Balmoral Hall School () on: Dec 15, 2014

• Lynne Axworthy was one of my best teachers who helped me in ways she may never have realized. I ran into her within the past year or so in Osborne Village (our neighbourhood) after nearly 40 years and we had a lovely reunion. We talked about getting together again, but sadly it never happened..Mrs. Axworthy, you were adored by so many of your students. Thank you for touching our lives, so richly. Helen - Posted by: Helen Oleszko (Language Arts student at Nelson Mac) on: Dec 14, 2014

• Lynne was my neighbor for the last two years and was so good to my daughter and I. She was always so thoughtful and generous with the gifts she often left on our door knob. The last month was really tough on her but she was so strong and brave and full of advice to cherish everyday. We will miss her more than she could possibly know. RiP dear neighbor, we love you. Paula & Julia. - Posted by: Paula Szczepanski (Neighbor) on: Dec 14, 2014

• As an English teacher at Nelson Mac, Ms. Axworthy was integral in the social and educational development of many. She had a gift in which she was able to see students for what they truly were and was not fooled by our social personas and reputations. She was able to separate image from identity and gave us the opportunity to evolve to our full potential. She had many of us discard the social trappings that outwardly defined us and pushed us into situations that were uncomfortable but rewarding. She placed jocks into musical theatre and encouraged the introverts to express themselves without fear. She was without equal as a teacher. Thank you Ms. Axworhy. You will not be forgotten. - Posted by: Greg Stewart (student) on: Dec 14, 2014

• Mrs. Acworth as she was known 1977-1979 was involved with her students in her own unique way! She shared her love of literature and the arts to us and it remains today in my life because of her influence. The ballet, the theater, the classics...all part of my life thanks to her introductions. May you rest in peace Lynn after a life well lived! - Posted by: Debra Thoroski Lawson (former student from Nelson Mac) on: Dec 14, 2014

• Mrs Axworthy, or "the Ax", was one of those teachers that shaped students into what they are today. As a horribly depressed teenager, she literally got me through high school alive and I can honestly say that I am a better person for having known her. She will definitely live on in spirit in many of our lives. - Posted by: Ailsa Konzelman (Former student and friend) on: Dec 13, 2014

• A grand dame! A remarkable woman who instilled the idea of grace in adolescent girls (not an easy task), which can only be acknowledged within each of us now as women. Thank you for being. - Posted by: shikha arora (BH Alumni ) on: Dec 13, 2014

• She was a wonderful English teacher who also had a great sense of humour. I remember her pushing us to read poetry and to understand it. I also remember her giant cups of 7-11 coffee and how she wouldn't put up with any disruption in her classes. She was always calling out the "yahoos" in the back of the room. Thank you very much Lynne. You were one of the great teachers. - Posted by: Susan Smiel (student at Nelson MacIntyre Collegiate) on: Dec 13, 2014

• I am very saddened to learn of Lynne's passing. She was a remarkable human being, representing some of the very best features of Winnipeg. Lynne's kindness and generosity of spirit touched many people; students, family, friends and simply many fellow Winnipegers unknown to her. She gave unselfishly to others, despite her own challenges in life. Like so many others, I am grateful to have known her. - Posted by: Tom Robson (Friend) on: Dec 13, 2014

• "Lynne left this life with the same grit and determination as she lived it." That is so true. Her strength and resolve were never more evident than in the final weeks of her life. We were proud to call Lynne a dear and respected friend who never failed to engage us in lively and interesting conversation. Her community commitment was inspirational. She will be long remembered and greatly missed. We extend condolences to Lynne's family. John Harvard and Pat Bovey - Posted by: John Harvard and Pat Bovey (Friend) on: Dec 13, 2014