William Scott Abell Dale (100) and Jane Gordon (Laidlaw) Dale (97) died peacefully at their home in London, Ontario Sept. 9 and Sept. 14, 2022, to be reunited in the afterlife after a loving and devoted marriage of over 70 years.  Bill and Jane married in Toronto in April 1952, exactly two years after they had met in London, England, introduced by Jane’s brother Jack. It was love at first sight, and together they were partners in a faithful, fulfilling life together raising their three sons, and following the lives of their beloved grandchildren, enjoying together a love of art, music, literature, good food and drink. They are survived by their three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Julia, John and Rose, and Tom and Maria, and four grandchildren, Natalie, Mike, Peyton, and Francesco.

Born in Toronto, Ontario in 1921 to Prof. Ernest Abell Dale and Mary (Bulloch) Dale, Bill was educated at UTS and Trinity College, University of Toronto (BA and MA), and at Harvard University (Ph.D.), where he specialized in medieval European art. At Harvard, he took the famous museum course with Paul Sachs, that prepared him for a career as curator at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the Art Gallery of Toronto (now AGO), and the Vancouver Art Gallery. After serving as Acting Director and Associate Director of the National Gallery, Bill accepted a new calling as a university professor and founding Chair of the Fine Arts (Visual Arts) Department at the University of Western Ontario in 1967, and taught countless students the love of art of all ages until his retirement in 1987. Bill was also an avid painter devoting his attention to capturing the fleeting effects of color and light in the rugged Muskoka landscape at the family’s vacation home on Muldrew Lake. He learned the craft, in part by participating in classes offered by Arthur Lismer at the Art Gallery of Toronto.

Jane, born in Toronto in 1925 to Albert Trout Laidlaw and Margaret Kathleen (Henderson) Laidlaw, was educated at Forest Hill School and the University of Toronto. Stricken with polio in 1939, Jane developed a characteristic fortitude early in life, refusing to be confined in any way by her physical challenge. With her friends and family, she travelled the world, undaunted by steep paths, whether climbing the Rocky Mountains or taking the stairs up to Saint Michel at Le Puy. Trained as an occupational therapist she interned in Montreal, and later worked at Christie Street and Sunnybrook Hospitals in Toronto, and at the Ottawa General Hospital.  Devoting herself tirelessly and lovingly to raising her three sons, Jane also continued to use her talents in a volunteer capacity as member of the Women’s Committee of the London Regional Art Gallery, and as member of the Women’s Christian Association that oversaw the construction of the new Veteran’s Wing at Parkwood Hospital in London.

Jane and Bill developed a deep faith together as members of the parish of Saint John the Evangelist Anglican Church in London, Ontario, leading a prayer circle, and preparing meals for the homeless.  Their faith sustained them into their old age, and their good humor and kindness to others, and devotion to each other and their family inspired all who came to their home. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jessica Howard and the staff of the Ilderton Clinic, as well as the group of caregivers who helped them with such compassion and kindness during the past five years.

A memorial service will be conducted at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 280 St. James St. at Wellington, on Friday, December 30 at 11 am.