Obituary of Jeannelle Savona

SAVONA, Jeannelle (née Jeanette Laillou)-1929 - 2015 It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Jeannelle, who died, alone, at home on Tuesday, August 18, 2015. Jeanelle was suffering from advanced symptoms of both vascular dementia and crippling arthritis. Jeannelle, born in France, was the daughter of the late Joseph Simon Laillou and Claire Jeanne Castaignède from Bordeaux, France. She was predeceased by her brother Jacques Laillou, her sister Annie Laillou, her older nephew Jean-Michel Laillou and her partner, Patricia Skippon (2011). Jeannelle had a long career as a professor of French at the University of Toronto, Trinity College, where she held the Brock Chair of Literature. She was also a member of both the Drama Center and the Institute of Gender Studies at the University of Toronto. In the eighties, Jeannelle became a strong feminist and it was at this point that she changed her name from Jeannette to Jeannelle. She was the first to introduce an undergraduate course on "Women in French Literature" at the University of Toronto. Throughout her life, Jeannelle fought for a more just world, helping individual, group and world-wide causes. Jeannelle played an important role in securing compensation for retired female professors, who, throughout their entire careers, had been paid less than their male counterparts. As well, for 30 years, Jeannelle tirelessly wrote letters for Amnesty International. Jeannelle had a very distinguished career publishing many articles and two books. Her book on Jean Genet has become a classic in courses on French Theatre. For twenty years, Jeannelle was married to Joseph Lawrence Savona, with whom she has remained friends. In 1991, Jeannelle declared herself a lesbian. It was at this time, that she met "the woman of her life", Patricia Skippon. Jeannelle became an important member of the Brown family, bonding especially with Pat's sister, Marigold and Pat's two sons, David and Evan Fulton. In her younger years, Jeanelle enjoyed swimming, cycling, jogging and playing tennis. She also loved cooking and sharing her culinary talents with her friends. As many of us can attest, Jeannelle was a very loyal and kind friend. On Saturday, September 19, at 1:00 p.m. there will be a celebration of life for Jeanelle at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue). As Jeannelle was an advocate for the right to die, she requested that donations be made to Dying with Dignity Canada, 55 Eglinton Ave. E. Suite 802, Toronto. M4P 1G8. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com