Desmarais, 89, was ‘great lady of music’
Philanthropist was seen as one of most important patrons of Quebec’s arts scene
Jacqueline Desmarais, a Quebec philanthropist and widow of businessman Paul Desmarais, died Saturday at the age of 89, her family has announced.
According to information provided by the family, a private funeral will be held in the coming days and will be followed by a memorial service at a later date.
Born Jacqueline Maranger in Sudbury, Ont., Desmarais was recognized as one of the most important patrons of Quebec’s arts scene. Many Quebec musicians have been able to build their careers thanks to her philanthropic efforts.
In 2016, she was named a companion of Quebec’s Order of Arts and Letters.
Her contribution to the province’s music scene was also recognized by an honorary doctorate from Université de Montréal’s faculty of music in 2011.
One of her protégés, cellist Stéphane Tétreault, painted a portrait of a woman with great humanity.
“I have to admit that I’ve never seen someone who had as much love for music as Mme Desmarais,” Tétreault said. “It’s such an absolute joy to play for her.”
He said he met her in 2010, when he was 17, and it was “one of the most wonderful chance (encounters) of my life.” Two years later, she bought a 1707 Stradivarius in an auction for him.
“The world lost a great benefac- tor today, but for me, personally, I lost a great friend.”
In a statement, conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin paid homage to Desmarais’s “unwavering love for artists and her unique flair for talent.”
Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly was quick to salute Desmarais’s legacy on social media.
“Jacqueline Desmarais has marked our cultural milieu with her great passion for artists and her great generosity,” Joly wrote. “Her contributions have improved
our cultural infrastructure and the programming of our institutions.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also highlighted Desmarais’s philanthropy and “deep commitment to the arts” on social media. “Her legacy is immense.”
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal announced that its concert on Tuesday will open with a piece in her honour played by resident organist Jean-Willy Kunz. Conductor Kent Nagano also plans to dedicate a performance of Verdi’s Requiem later this month.
Desmarais sat on the board of directors of the OSM and donated a large organ named after OSM founder Pierre Béique.
The OSM board’s chair, Lucien Bouchard, said this “great lady of music” brought “constant support not only to musical institutions but also myriad young artists.”
Desmarais’s contributions to the community have been highlighted on several occasions; she was named an officer of the Order of Canada, to the National Order of Quebec and to France’s Legion of Honour.
In the fall of 2016, Montreal’s Ste-Justine Hospital christened the Jacqueline Desmarais Pavilion.
Desmarais leaves behind four children: Paul Jr., André, Louise and Sophie.
Presse Canadienne