Obituary of Winifred Shantz

It is with great sadness that we announce that Winifred Shantz passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012 in Kitchener, Ontario, in her 89th year. Winifred Fitch was born in London, England. She met Canadian Major Don McLaren during World War II and emigrated to Canada, marrying him in Kitchener after the war. Herself a potter, she became a vital part of the arts community in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. Don, retired Director of Recreation for the city of Kitchener, passed away in 1972. Her support for glass and ceramic artists culminated in the establishment of the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, a national gallery of which she and her second husband Keith Shantz were founding supporters. In 1990, she became a partner with Aggie Beynon in the ownership of Harbinger Gallery, showcasing contemporary Canadian visual artists, sculptors, jewelry, and ceramics. Her wide-ranging patronage of the performing arts included support for the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Stratford Festival, the Grand River Baroque Festival, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Brush with Art and many others. Her support and caring for young artists was exemplified by the Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics through the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, and the Keith and Winifred Shantz Summer Internships granting opportunities for University of Waterloo Fine Arts students to work with established artists. As well, she supported students from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in internships abroad. In the Kitchener-Waterloo community she was a supporter of many community causes including both hospitals. Win's wisdom and enthusiasm for life will be very much missed by her family and the many colleagues and friends whose lives she touched. She brought to so many the kind of insight, critique, understanding and support that can turn dreams into lasting success, in the arts, in business, and in life. A celebration of the life of Win Shantz will be held at the Clay and Glass Gallery, 25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, Ontario on Sunday, March 18th from 2 to 4 pm. Friends and family are invited to gather together and share memories. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery or the KW Symphony.