Virginia Isabel Douglas nee Baker passed unexpectedly December 8, 2017. She was Aunt Ginny to many of the Douglas clan and mother of cousin Don(ny). Born in London, Ontario she lived most of her life in Montreal and moved to Halifax in 2015 to be near her son and grandchildren.

Virginia's first husband was our 'Uncle Murray'. They met in their first year of studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. They were married on Graduation Day in 1947. 

Son Don entered the world about 5 years later while his parents were both pursuing graduate studies at University of Michigan.  Although they separated in 1964, they remained close friends.

Ginny with Murray's brothers Don & Albert on their farm in Saskatchewan

Murray & Ginny circa 1950

Virginia's life work was as a Professor Emerita at McGill University's Department of Psychology. She had a 40 year long second marriage to John Lewis, a Professor Emerita at McGill's Department of Biology. 

Her son Don says:

After suffering several major health challenges over the past many years, Mom was doing “pretty darn well” recently.  Thus, her death was a total surprise. In fact, Mom was out with my kids, Heather and Roby, for supper and  a movie on Thurs eve.  The kids brought Mom back to her apartment and she passed away later the same night.

Mom lived a long and exceptional life, including as a Clinical Child Psychologist.  Mom was the person responsible for putting together the understanding of the relationship between hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder.  Mom coined the term “ADHD” and was internationally known for her advancing our understanding of this important condition - and methods to best assist kids (and adults) who deal with ADHD. 

Mom was an absolute Montrealer and loved that city and its Francophone and multicultural inhabitants.  She also loved McGill University, from which she was awarded Professor Emerita after an exceptionally long and productive research and clinical career in the Department of Psychology.  Mom also held a research position at the Montreal Children’s Hospital for virtually her entire career in Montreal. 

For anyone who may be interested in Virginia’s career, including her pioneering psychology research with ADHD please refer to the Wikipedia Page that was created by a professor from York University in Toronto.