Friends of Gail Tolley

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Neighbours,

 

We have all learned with deep sadness of the passing of our beloved Gail who lost her courageous battle with ovarian cancer. To honour this amazing person we all knew, we would like to organize a tribute.

Gail loved Stratford and Stratford (and beyond of course) loved her. The Stratford Festival was one of her happy places. Gail was most recently concerned about the impact that the pandemic would have on the future of the Festival and those who made a living from it; on and off stage. Gail was also a big supporter of young talent - both during her career at CMHC and since moving to Stratford. It therefore feels very fitting that we organize a tribute to Gail, through donations directed to the Birmingham Conservatory, an educational program where artists are invited to develop their voice and craft within the professional environment of the Stratford Festival’s repertory company: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/Learn/Professionals/TheBirminghamConservatory

Please donate directly to the Stratford Festival. Please give what you can and only if you can.

Three ways to donate: 
 
1) To channel funds directly to the Birmingham Conservatory,  please contact Playwright’s Circle Administrator, Jenn McCaw, at 1.800.561.1233, ext. 2275, or email jmccaw at stratfordfestival.ca.

OR:

2) Donation link (Stratford Festival Webpage) 
https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/order/NonMembershipDonation/?fid=796&amount=200

In the "FOR RECOGNITION PURPOSES I WOULD LIKE MY NAME LISTED AS", please mention "Friends of Gail Tolley". We will work with Mark and the Birmingham Conservatory to create the best use of the money, on behalf of Gail.
 

OR:

3) You can also give directly through this Go Fund Me page (Please note the Stratford Festival will not be able to issue a tax receipt through this means).

More on Gail and her connection to Stratford: 

 

Gail retired in 2014 after a brilliant career at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) during which she inspired and mentored many of us. Anyone who worked with her was struck by her amazing ability to approach any issue with a perfect balance of critical judgment, kindness and humour. She shared with many of us how CMHC held a big place in her heart and always would. She spoke about her incredible career there and how it was almost impossible to believe all that she learned and had the opportunity to experience.

 

Gail and her partner, Mark, were regular fixtures at the Stratford Festival over many years. She had a beautiful intellectual curiosity and loved the arts: music, movies and theater in particular. She would talk about how artists would brighten her day and make her think more deeply. It was therefore not surprising that they chose Stratford to call home in 2015, moving from Ottawa. Gail fell in love with the place of course; the history, beautiful architecture and milder winters(!!!) but especially the community.

 

Gail was always thinking, creating and connecting with people. Shortly after landing in Stratford, she and Mark would become actively involved in the volunteer scene. She became Chair of the Stratford-Perth Museum. Her near full-time job was the Stratford Festival where she was involved with the Friends of the Festival, the volunteer wing of the Festival.

 

In her honour, the Stratford Festival of Canada  has lowered the flag to half-mast - an indication of her many contributions over the years. 

 

Please reach out if you have any questions.

 

Thank you,

 

Patrick and Eleanor

 

Friends, Colleagues and Neighbours of Gail