In Memoriam

Remembering Queen's alumni.

Those Who Have Passed

Sharing memories of friends, faculty, and colleagues - In Memoriam helps you honour those who have recently passed.

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  • Donald Keenleyside

    1950s

    Donald Keenleyside

    – BA'54, MD'56

    Spring 2021

    Donald died on Nov. 25 in Kingston. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Linda; children Laura, David, Artsci’84, and Tim, Artsci’86; and extended family. Donald was predeceased by his first wife, Anna. Donald grew up in Kingston, attending Victoria Public School and KCVI (where he was head boy, 1947–1948) before studying at Queen’s. He was a caring doctor for generations of families. He had a longtime association with Hotel Dieu Hospital. His special projects through the years included property development of the Medical Arts Building and Ongwanada Hospital and serving as president of the Physicians’ Services Incorporated Foundation. He was awarded emeritus status by the Ontario College of Physicians. He had a most fulfilling life. His passions included baseball, hockey (he played for Queen’s as a student), golf, curling, and skiing.

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    1960s

    Wayne Hypponen

    – MBA'62

    Spring 2021

    Wayne died Nov. 17 with Leena, his wife of 52 years, by his side, following a lengthy battle with Lewy body dementia. Wayne is also survived by his children, Taina Phelan, Artsci’93 (Douglas Phelan, Com’92), and Maria Hypponen, Artsci’95, MA’98, and five grandchildren. Wayne is also missed by extended family members and friends in Canada and Finland. Born and raised in Montreal, Wayne studied engineering at McGill before pursuing his MBA at Queen’s. Wayne was a true gentleman; he had a kind and gentle soul as well as an impish sense of humour. He loved animals and soaking up some Vitamin D at the cottage. He was extremely proud of his Finnish heritage.

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    1960s

    Alexis Hyland

    – BASc'61

    Spring 2021

    Al died peacefully on Oct. 22 in the presence of Joan, his wife and best friend. Al immigrated to Canada from Trinidad as a young man to pursue his studies as a chemical engineer at Queen’s. After graduation, he eventually made his way to Montreal and spent most of his working life at Seagram Distilleries, where he met Joan. Al and Joan enjoyed a loving and wonderful life together for 44 years, travelling on exotic adventures, playing golf and bridge, enjoying their garden and cherishing their time with close friends. Al’s intelligence, charm, diplomacy, gentle disposition, memorable belly laughs, and his insatiable appetite for vanilla ice cream will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

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    1950s

    J. Gilbert Hill

    – BASc'51 / MASc'62 / PhD'63

    Spring 2021

    Gilbert died Oct. 25, two days after celebrating Mole Day. While at Queen’s, Gilbert’s sister, Mary, set him up on a blind date with Ardeth Justus, Arts’52. They married in 1956. In 1965, Gilbert began his career as a clinical biochemist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He was a pioneer in laboratory automation and became biochemist-in-chief. He simultaneously rose through the academic ranks at the University of Toronto in what is now the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology. He was recognized with a lifetime honorary membership in the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists in 2011. Gilbert retired from SickKids in 1995 and took on a second career in medical informatics. Gilbert was an advocate for conservation and an enthusiastic naturalist. His kindness, sincerity, integrity, and calm presence made him an excellent teacher and mentor, and the best father that anyone could hope for. Gilbert was predeceased by his brother Donald, BASc’50. He is survived by his wife, Ardeth; his children Margaret, Janet, Artsci’90, PhD’95 (David Palmer, Artsci’89, PhD’95), and Andrew, Sc’91; his younger sister Mary Summerby, Meds’55; and many nieces and nephews.

  • Margaret Natalie Whyte Heilig

    1950s

    Margaret Natalie Whyte (McGiffin) Heilig

    – BNSc'57

    Spring 2021

    Margaret died Feb. 20, 2020, in Toronto, aged 85, with her four children by her side. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob Heilig, BASc’55, in 2017, and by her sister Mary in 2019. She is survived by children John, Katherine, Nancy, and Michael, her sister Kathleen Satchell, Arts’51, and extended family. Margaret and Bob met at Queen’s, where they made lifelong friendships. They were happily married for 58 years and their proudest accomplishments were raising their four children and spending time with their 10 grandchildren. Margaret went back to school while raising her children and completed a specialist degree in history from the University of Toronto. Her interest in history led her to work at the Toronto Mackenzie House, and her nursing education to work at The Gage as a health educator. Margaret spent many years as a Girl Guide leader in Henry Farms, cultivating young women to be independent and caring, and to love the outdoors. Her energy and optimism and love of adventure were what drew people to her. It was her caring and nurturing ways that kept them close. She is greatly missed.

  • Robert Greggs

    1950s

    Robert Greggs

    – BA'55

    Spring 2021

    Bob died at home on Dec. 3. He is mourned by his wife, Marilyn Hood, Arts’70, MEd’76; their combined family of children (including Darcie Greggs, Artsci’80, and Jonathon Greggs, Artsci’83) and grandchildren; and by Cooper the dog. Bob was predeceased in 1997 by his first wife, Robin (Howland), BA’54, and dogs Shandy, Georgie Girl, Tamworth, Candy, MacDuff, Tory, Casey, and Terra. Bob pursued knowledge all his life. He earned his BSc in geology from Queen’s, then advanced degrees from UBC, before returning to Queen’s as a professor of geological sciences. His expertise in sedimentary geology inspired many of his students as well as his own children (with both Darcie and Jonathon becoming geologists). Bob was known for his early work in the Canadian Rockies, on horseback no less, and for detailing the strata around southeastern Ontario. After leaving Queen’s, Bob moved west to work in the energy industry in Calgary until he retired.