Obituary of Esme Pepall

Esmé Seton Pepall (née Thompson) 1916-2014 Esmé Pepall - an indomitable spirit -- died peacefully on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at her residence in The Balmoral Club, Toronto, in her 99th year. She was a proud and devoted mother to Anne (John Curtis); Rosalind (Armand de Mestral); Diana (Cameron Pulsifer); Sarah aka Sally (Jim Christie); and Jennifer (Henry Schultz). Fond grandmother of Catherine (Hudson), Devon and Matthew (Veronica) Curtis; Philippe (Julia) and Charles (Jason) de Mestral; Simon and Andrew Pulsifer; Gillian and Fraser Christie; and Emma, Gabriel and Clara Schultz and great-grandmother to Saskia, George and Jonathan Gilmer. Pre-deceased by her husband, James Edward Pepall (1971). Born in Toronto in 1916, Esmé attended Brown School and Havergal College. After a brief sojourn at Elmwood College in Ottawa, she entered the Ontario College of Art where she was taught by the likes of Franklin Carmichael. She recalled with pride the 8 out of 10 grade he gave her painting of white lilies. Between art classes, Esmé was a beautiful, fashionable debutante whose dance cards were always full. Her future husband Ted, resplendent in his RMC scarlet tunic, vowed to marry her after their first meeting when she was 16. Nine years later, Esmé held a bouquet of her favourite narcissuses as she celebrated her marriage at the ancestral family home, Spadina. The couple began their married life in Arvida, Quebec, where Ted worked as a chemical engineer with Alcan. The company subsequently moved them to India, glorious London and finally to Montreal. They had a front-row seat to history, witnessing such events as India's independence and the coronation of Elizabeth II. Their family of girls grew along the way, as well as a circle of loyal friends that spanned the globe. Sadly, Ted died two years after buying their beloved White Brook Farm in Abercorn, Quebec. Esmé eventually moved from Montreal to Ottawa but Abercorn remained her "paradise on earth". Happy memories of her decades there enriched her declining years. Esmé was a woman of many interests and talents: painting, gardening, flower arranging, antiques, bridge, decorating, travelling, entertaining and the fine art of conversation. From the Girl Guides of Canada and the Grenfell Medical Mission to the Treasures and Trifles table at Dominion Douglas Church and the National Gallery of Canada, Esmé was a dedicated volunteer for many causes. She was also proud of her Austin family's history as builders of old Toronto and her contributions - along with those of her mother Kathleen Seton Thompson (1983), her sister Patricia Seton Evans (2012) and her brother Austin Seton Thompson (1983) - to opening Spadina's doors as a museum for the public. But she considered her daughters - whom she called her five stars - as her greatest accomplishment. She encouraged their ambitions, cheered their every success and was sympathetic in their times of need. They and their families will remember her with tremendous love, affection and gratitude. A celebration of Esmé's full and long life will be held in ROSEDALE UNITED CHURCH, 159 Roxborough Drive, Toronto on Saturday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. The family would like to thank the staff of The Balmoral Club as well as Dr. Anne Biringer and Dr. Martin Schreiber for their longstanding and attentive care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Road, Toronto M5R 2V5. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com. Arrangements under the direction of the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, Toronto, 1-800-616-3311.