Lois Amy Crowe passed away on April 13, 2022, at the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario at the age of 62.
Born June 4, 1959, in London, Ontario, daughter of Amy Margaret Crowe nee Young, and Glen Crowe, sibling to Brenda, Elinor, John, David, Peter and Paul. Lois’ family moved to Smiths Falls where she attended Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute. There, Lois played 1st Clarinet, and was an Ontario Scholar. Lois also studied piano and wrote for the school newspaper. She phoned and actually talked with ex-Prime Minister Diefenbaker for a Grade Ten school project.
Lois was a volunteer at the Rideau Regional Centre, and held various part-time jobs before she attended Concordia University. There, she wrote for the Loyola News, was elected legislative counsellor for the student union, and sat as co-president of the Inter-disciplinary Studies Students’ Association. Lois graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Canadian Studies, and received the Loyola Campus Medal.
Lois was fascinated by everything political and had a passion for social justice. She was a paid political organizer for campaigns in BC and ON, and was involved in the 1987 political campaign for the provincial NDP (Ottawa Centre), as well as being on the Executive. Lois was one of three authors of the Gender Parity Report and associated bylaw which was accepted by the riding association the following year.
Lois’ early career was varied, including temp jobs and then managing both private and social housing, before she entered the field of health research, working at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, Canadian Medical Association Journal, the Ottawa Health Research Institute, and the Bruyere Research Institute, becoming an expert in grant applications, research ethics, and organizational strategy. Her career culminated in the position of Program Manager, Strategic Planning and Implementation at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Office of Social Accountability. There she was honoured with a Support Staff Award of Excellence for Engagement in 2021. Over the years, Lois co-authored dozens of scientific papers.
Lois was a very generous person, with a special genius for gift selection. She had an amazing sense of humour. She was eloquent, but camera-shy, and an avid gardener. She was bilingual, and also loved Spanish. Lois enjoyed painting and jewelry making, but later focused on glass fusion art. She was a lover of Canadian music and a voracious reader, with a special interest in female artists. Lois travelled extensively through Canada and the U.S. as well as to Peru (2003), and London and Paris (2009).
Lois was deeply loved by her longtime partner, Ron M. Kozan of Kanata, and she will be sorely missed by him, her many dear friends, plus a wide network of colleagues. A celebration of her life is planned for June 4, 2022.
I had the privilege of knowing Lois! We grew together in the same church family. Lois Crowe achieved much more than most people in this life do. Her siblings must be very delighted to say of her, That's my sister!!
