Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Sonia Labatt
1937 - 2022
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Sonya Graci posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
I check up every so often on the whereabouts of Dr. Labatt as we lost touch a few years ago. I am deeply saddened by realizing she has passed. Sonia, being my masters supervisor in 1999 to 2001 had an immense impact on my life. She supported, provided me opportunities, lifted me up and mentored me. She showed me what positive leadership was about. She gave me the confidence to pursue my PhD in corporate social responsibility and my subsequent career. I owe a lot to Sonia and I wish I could have found her the last time to tell her how much she meant to me.
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George Elliott Clarke posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
I regret most profoundly my absence from yesterday's memorial for Dr. Sonia Labatt.
However, I wish her husband and family to know of my great pleasure in our too few
exchanges (usually by classic mail), given that they were graced by her truly sparkling
wit and forensic--if teasing--insights. Being the current E.J. Pratt Professor of Canadian
Literature at the University of Toronto, I have benefited from the gift that Sonia and Arthur
Labatt bestowed upon the Department of English, creating a position available only to a
poet and a scholar and named for English Canada's most successful poet of the mid-20th
century. I treasure this charity, this largess, and it has been a pleasure for nearly twenty
years, to mail off a copy of a book of poems or essays or novels to Dr. Labatt as ocular
proof of the literary yield resultant from her support for "The Pratt Chair," and I am happy to
remember that she jotted frequently a note to register her receipt, but often with a wry aside
that always made me smile. Beyond gratitude, I owe her beatitude. Please do accept my
heart-felt sorrow at your loss of an exemplary humanitarian who was also a champion of
the Humanities and the environment that sustains all life.
Truly,
Dr. George Elliott Clarke, OC, ONS, FRCGS, PhD, LLD (etc.)
E.J. Pratt Professor of Canadian Literature
University of Toronto
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Pat Koval posted a condolence
Monday, April 18, 2022
To Arthur and family, I was so sorry to learn of Sonia's passing. She was a wonderful woman, and I feel very privileged to have known her. Our friendship began through our mutual love of the environment and conservation. We served together for many years on the Board of World Wildlife Fund Canada, where Sonia was always deeply engaged, deeply thoughtful and deeply committed. Among other things, my husband and I shared a great trip to Churchill with Sonia, in which she, as usual, was fascinated by what she saw and interested in learning as much as possible, while at the same time being tremendously fun to be with! It was wonderful that Jacquie captured some of our greatest experiences on camera. As our friendship grew, Sonia introduced me to like-minded people at the University of Toronto, and its Advisory Council on Environmental Finance. Sonia was a fabulous contributor to that group, with interesting and innovative ideas and perspectives. Her seminal work on Carbon Finance, alone, became a staple in many business school and law school courses (including those I helped to organize) and has inspired multiple generations of students, academics and business people alike.
We all miss her very much.
Pat Koval
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Robert Evans pledged to donate to The Labatt Family Network for Research on the Biology of Depression
Monday, April 18, 2022
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David Knight posted a condolence
Monday, April 18, 2022
Dear Arthur,
I am writing to express my condolences on the passing of your bride, Sonia. To say that she led a full life would be a huge understatement! It was fortunate that she was so active physically, as she needed the energy to contribute to so many interests mentally. She was the epitome of a liberated woman.
You had a dynamic team, and few couples set a fine example for 63 years! I am sure that you and your family will continue to thrive in her honour. I am thinking of you at this momentous time.
Very best wishes, David Knight
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Betsy Harvie Aziz posted a condolence
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Andrew and I express our sincere condolences for the passing of a gracious, kind woman. I knew Sonia as the mom of my friend Sheila. She was always a fun, lively conversationalist, interested in others, intellectually curious, warm and welcoming. I especially remember poring over family photo albums with her about a decade ago. Sonia had gone to a lot of trouble in preparation for our meeting - which I had not anticipated. I was struck then by what a thoughtful, caring person she was and how much she loved her children. She will be terribly missed. xo
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Tessa Hebb posted a condolence
Thursday, April 7, 2022
My deep condolences to Sonia’s family on her passing. I first met Sonia twenty years ago when I was studying economic geography at Oxford University. We both shared a deep conviction that environmental finance (now often called sustainable finance) is an important lever in addressing our most pressing sustainability issues. Sonia and her colleague Rodney White had just published the volume Environmental Finance. This work was well ahead of its time in raising these critical issues.
Both Sonia and I had undertaken our PhDs in our late-careers and realized we had much in common. This led to a number of thoughtful discussions over the years. On behalf of my Oxford colleague Gordon Clark and myself, our heartfelt sympathies. Sonia will be missed.
Tessa Hebb
Adjunct Professor, Sprott Business School and School of Public Policy and Administration
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
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Dr David Naylor posted a condolence
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Dear Arthur and the Labatt family,
Thinking of you in these difficult days after the passing of Sonia -- such a luminous and multifaceted woman, a tireless and generous champion of better healthcare, education, research, and environmental causes.
I am deeply sorry for your loss, and will aways be grateful for the positive impact Sonia had on so many people and institutions.
In sympathy, and with sincere condolences,
David Naylor, Professor of Medicine & President Emeritus,
University of Toronto
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King's University College, Alumni and Development pledged to donate to L’Arche Canada Foundation
Friday, March 25, 2022
Thinking of you and your family.
With deepest sympathy,
King's College, Alumni and Development
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susanne posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
On behalf of the University of Toronto, I offer heartfelt condolences to Arthur and family. Sonia was a dear friend to the University and to me. Her generosity—and that of the entire Labatt family—has helped to change the trajectory of critical research into mental health and depression. Sonia’s grace, keen mind and personal warmth will be dearly missed.
Sincerely,
Meric S. Gertler
President
University of Toronto
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David Palmer posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
My deepest condolences to all mourning the passing of Dr. Sonia Labatt. She was a wonderful champion of education and health. We are tremendously proud to count her as a distinguished graduate of the University of Toronto and a great friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Sincerely,
David Palmer
Vice-President, Advancement
University of Toronto
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Jacquie Godard posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
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I first met Sonia at yoga at Cecily Milne's, Lake of Bays and found her to be not only gentle and interesting, but interested in those she shared yoga space with. Sonia offered me rides in her lovely pastel blue car even if I was just 100' away. I graciously accepted and enjoyed our short dialogues. Those were wonderful memories created from the mat and she was an inspiration.
Sheila, know that I'm thinking of you and your family and I will have a toast to your dear mother from the shores of Lake of Bays.
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Markus Stock posted a condolence
Monday, March 21, 2022
Dear Labatt Family,
Our sincerest condolences on Sonia’s passing. Heartfelt thoughts go out to you in this time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Principal Markus Stock, and all of us at University College
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Allana Dawson Thorne Posted Mar 26, 2022 at 8:57 PM
My sincere condolences to all of the Labatt family on the loss of your matriarch! I am an old camp friend of Sonia’s daughter Jacquie. I remember her as not only beautiful and cool, but very kind and patient with us as teenagers. Thinking of you. Lanny Dawson
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Greg Philpott posted a condolence
Monday, March 21, 2022
Dear Arthur and family, my sincerest condolences on Sonia’s passing. Sonia helped so many people in countless ways with her encouragement, energy and commitment to the causes she cared deeply for. Sincerely, Greg Philpott
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Jay and Barbara Hennick Foundation donated to JENNIFER ASHLEIGH CHILDREN'S CHARITY
Monday, March 21, 2022
Dear Labatt Family
With our sincerest condolences on the passing of Sonia. May her memory be a blessing to you all.
Jay and Barbara Hennick and Family
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Jennifer Noble posted a condolence
Monday, March 21, 2022
Sheila, so sorry to hear about the loss of your mum, take care - Jennifer Noble.
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Elise heon lit a candle
Sunday, March 20, 2022
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Dear Mr Labatt, please accept my most sincere condoléances for the passing of your inspiring beautiful wife Sonia. I am a SickKids Ophthalmologist and both of you have been such great role models for not only philanthropy, but kindness, being genuine and so engaged in life, always interested in others. No words can replace Sonia but my thoughts are warmly with you. Sincerely, Elise Heon
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Barbara & Jay Hennick posted a condolence
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Barbara and I send our sincere condolences on the passing of your wonderful Wife, Mother and Grandmother, Sonia. Sonia and Arthur have been our next door neighbours for more than 25 years. Always gracious, humble and interested — you could not find better neighbours. Exemplars to the community and to Canada at large. Our hearts go out to Arthur and the rest of the beautiful Labatt family. My Sonia’s memory be a blessing to all who knew her. Barbara and Jay Hennick
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The family of Sonia Labatt uploaded a photo
Friday, March 18, 2022
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