Obituary of Sonia Labatt
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sonia Hélène Labatt (née Armstrong) who died peacefully at her home on March 14, 2022, surrounded by family. She was 84.
Daughter of John and Hélène Armstrong, Sonia leaves behind her beloved and most devoted husband of 63 years, Arthur, sister Jacqui Shoffner, children Sheila, John (Diane) and Jacquie, grandchildren Fraser and Jessica Barton, Dylan (Dominika) and Courtney Randle and Kinder and Christopher Labatt, as well as nieces Mary Shoffner, Jennifer Martin (Keith) and Brenda Lamb Makarova (Vitali).
Sonia was kind, gracious, and witty. A dearly loved friend to many, she was also a highly accomplished community leader.
Thirty years after graduating from the University of Toronto, Sonia returned to her alma mater for her MA and PhD in the Department of Geography. She became an Adjunct Professor at U of T’s Center of the Environment and co-authored two ground-breaking books on climate change and sustainable investing.
Dedicated to physical fitness, Sonia hiked Arizona’s mountains, skied Switzerland’s peaks, and biked France’s vineyards. Representing Canada, Sonia and her crew won gold at the World Rowing Masters. She was also a keen tennis and bridge player.
Sonia gave generously of her time as a trustee of SickKids, and director of World Wildlife Canada, University Health Network, National Ballet of Canada and the Clarke Institute Foundation. Her philanthropy was directed across many sectors including Fighting Blindness Canada, Toronto French School, Havergal College, University of Toronto, CAMH and Western University’s Labatt Family School of Nursing.
She will be greatly missed both by her family and by the community at large.
The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville) from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on April 18th. A service will be held in Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road, Toronto at 2:00 p.m. on April 19th.
Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
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