Recently Florence McMaster called to tell me that she is having an exhibition at La Galleria, in Montreal. After a call to the gallery, they informed me that Florence McMaster passed away. Years of trouble with her eyes had masked warning signs of another serious condition, which caught up with her a few weeks ago.
At that time she called a friend for a ride to the hospital, but because of the big snowstorm the friend suggested she call 911. Her last trip to the hospital in Ste-Agathe was through the beautiful first snow of the season.
From being away, her son Philip sped to her side that evening, and her daughter Joanna arrived Friday afternoon. She didn’t wake up Saturday morning, the 25th of October, 2003.
Florence McMaster began her love affair with the Laurentians as a young artist at her parents’ country home in Val Morin . In the mid fifties, she moved permanently to the Laurentians with her husband John and young family.
She was a wonderful woman, and encouraging teacher, teaching kindergarten in Ste-Marguerite, co-founding the Laurentian Women’s Reading Club, and hosting many meetings and parties. She played the piano at home and church organs at Ste-Adele and Ste-Agathe churches. She gave art lessons to many Laurentian and Montreal artists, and was former vice-president and life member of the Arts Club of Montreal. Known for her portraits, she painted many other subjects, flowers, still life, landscapes, and her favourite escape - abstract collages.
She was a very courageous woman. As a pioneer English-speaking family in the Laurentians, she had many adventures, including negotiating the unpaved roads in a Willys Jeep, and since her husband John traveled a lot, she had to clear snow, drive her children to school in Ste.Agathe, pursue her art and keep the home fires burning.
Later in life, she traveled annually to Charlevoix to paint. Sometimes she lay down on the ground to capture the reflection of light on the flower beds in her garden.
Her house was her gallery and she loved to share her joy of painting with others. Florence McMaster will be missed by those who knew her, and those who wish they had. We shall cherish her memory for many years as it lives in the gift of her art.
Farewell Florence.
The gallery La Galleria, 1618 Sherbrooke St West, in Montreal is planning to hold an exhibition of Florence McMaster's works in the Spring of 2004, as a tribute to her life’s artwork. Mr. Joseph Mizzi, of La Galleria (514) 932-7585 told me there is a brochure available about Florence McMaster. Her son, Philip McMaster and Joseph are assembling a mailing list of all those who wish to see her work. If you wish to be included in the e-mail list, you may contact me, Ilania Abileah, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
“FBM Exhibition” 933 Station H, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 2M9 and the invitiation will be sent directly to you.