Bom-Wrapper

Maureen  Kinnaird
In Memory of
Maureen  Ann
Kinnaird
1932 - 2017
Memorial Candle Tribute From
P.X. Dermody Funeral Homes
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>
Leave a condolence

Condolences

Condolence From: Cathy Elstone
Condolence: I remember Miss Kinnaird fondly. She taught me Latin from 1963-1967 at Westmount. She was always impeccably coiffed and dressed with beautiful suits a la Coco Chanel. And that beige Peugeot that she drove! It was thanks to her that I acquired a "wicked" knowledge of English grammar. She always kept her classroom very cool---to prevent slothful brain, as she would always say with a sly smile.
Tuesday March 22, 2022
Condolence From: Lisa Kadonaga
Condolence: I was sad to hear that Miss Kinnaird had passed away, and sorry that I didn't know that she was still living in Hamilton and that I might have been able to come and visit her, when I had returned to town to help look after my mom and dad. I'm reassured that other people did keep in touch, and I hope that this brought her happiness and comfort in the last years of her life.

Reading the other messages from classmates and teachers here, it's evident that so many of us still remember the interesting questions she used to ask, sometimes very unexpectedly. When this news story about scientists researching colour vision came out, I recalled her observation that the two of us might not be seeing the exact shade of blue when we looked out the window at the sky. That was back in 1983-84 and it seems this is still under investigation!
https://www.livescience.com/21275-color-red-blue-scientists.html

I haven't studied the classics formally since I left Westmount, but several years ago I got into historical re-enactment and began working with a Roman legion group in British Columbia where I'm now living. The Latin that Miss Kinnaird taught me has been useful for that, and I like to think she'd have been pleased if she knew that I've progressed from reading about Caecilius in the Cambridge Latin books, and trying to translate Roman tombstone inscriptions -- to estimating the dates on Imperial coinage, and building a cingulum and lorica segmentata (legionary belt and body armour).
Echoing what others have said already -- multas gratias tibi ago (many thanks), Miss Kinnaird! Ave atque vale!
Monday April 26, 2021
Condolence From: Michael
Condolence: I am grateful for the honour of learning Latin with Miss Kinnaird. I fondly recall her one liners enunciated with precision, (e.g., “nuh-thing new un-der the sunnnnn” and “what an ir-re-spon-sible in-di-vid-u-aaalll” (not me). In closing, I would like to say, Gratias tibi. Tibi nulla oblivione delebitur.
Tuesday June 25, 2019
Condolence From: Stephen Clothier
Condolence: I routinely check the Hamilton obituaries to see if someone whom I knew in Hamilton has passed away. On this day, I was very saddened to learn that Miss Kinnaird, my Latin and French teacher at Westmount (which I attended from Sept., 1981 to the spring of 1985), had passed away several months earlier. She taught me Latin in Grade 10 and French in Grade 12 (Miss Rundle was my French teacher in Grade 9). She was a marvellous teacher who instilled in me an even greater love of languages than I had previously had. It is highly likely that, without her, I might not have gone on to pursue Classical Studies at McMaster University, where I got my Honours B.A. in Classical Languages & Literature, and then, later, my Master's degree in the same area. My Master's thesis, "Greek Perspectives on Cyrus and His Conquests," is in Mills Memorial Library on the campus. Miss Kinnaird spoke Parisian French beautifully, and she transmiited her love of French and the ancient language from which it is derived with unbridled enthusiasm. I will never forget her love of languages and her great sense of humour.

In fact, in May of 2004, I went over to her apartment and brought her a bouquet of orange roses, and we had a very pleasant visit.

Requiescat in pace.

Que Dieu vous donne paix éternelle, Mademoiselle Kinnaird.
Saturday May 13, 2017
Condolence From: Stephen Clothier
Condolence: I routinely check the Hamilton obituaries to see if someone whom I knew in Hamilton has passed away. On this day, I was very saddened to learn that Miss Kinnaird, my Latin and French teacher at Westmount (which I attended from Sept., 1981 to the spring of 1985), had passed away several months earlier. She taught me Latin in Grade 10 and French in Grade 12 (Miss Rundle was my French teacher in Grade 9). She was a marvellous teacher who instilled in me an even greater love of languages than I had previously had. It is highly likely that, without her, I might not have gone on to pursue Classical Studies at McMaster University, where I got my Honours B.A. in Classical Languages & Literature, and then, later, my Master's degree in the same area. My Master's thesis, "Greek Perspectives on Cyrus and His Conquests," is in Mills Memorial Library on the campus. Miss Kinnaird spoke Parisian French beautifully, and she transmiited her love of French and the ancient language from which it is derived with unbridled enthusiasm. I will never forget her love of languages and her great sense of humour.

In fact, in May of 2004, I went over to her apartment and brought her a bouquet of orange roses, and we had a very pleasant visit.

Requiescat in pace.

Que Dieu vous donne paix éternelle, Mademoiselle Kinnaird.
Saturday May 13, 2017
Condolence From: Nancy Rundle
Condolence: I began my teaching career at Westmount with Maureen Kinnaird as Head of the Languages Department. During my 19 years there, I learned so much from her. She had a love of learning and passed that on to so many of her students. She brought Latin and French to life. Besides being a colleague, she was also a good friend, always ready for a concert, play or dinner out. I remember a March break holiday that we had in Rome. How lucky I was to be there with a Latin scholar. My years of high school Latin came alive. I felt as if Julius Caesar was walking beside us in the Roman Forum.
Maureen will be fondly remembered by her colleagues. We plan on raising a glass to her when we are next together.
Adieu, good friend.
Friday February 03, 2017
Condolence From: John Hill
Condolence: Maureen was a great friend and colleague throughout my years with the Hamilton Board - a teacher for whom I have the greatest respect.And yes, she had a wonderful sense of humour - always positive.
Friday February 03, 2017
Condolence From: Bryan Hill
Condolence: I Maureen's cousin. She was 20 years older than me. I knew Maureen growing up in Sudbury. She was an adventurous person who lived and taught in Europe and travelled extensively when it was not common for people to do so. Maureen attended the Olympics in Rome in the early 60s and travelled to the Middle East. She brought me home Arab head wear which was a bit unusual for a youngster in the early 60s in Sudbury.

It is very heart warming to read the positive responses from Maureen's former students. I can see how her love of travel and other cultures enabled her to make learning languages enjoyable. It is sad that she has passed away.
Wednesday February 01, 2017
Condolence From: Jana lee Breton
Condolence: Remembered for the knowledge she imparted on a young mind. She was a kind teacher who I respected and learned many great things from. Thank you for sharing part of yourself with me.
Wednesday February 01, 2017
Condolence From: Mary Chantrell
Condolence: Fond memories of a respected colleague and an enjoyable,stimulating extra-curricular companion.2
Tuesday January 31, 2017
Share by: