HPO’s former executive director Elizabeth Webster dies at age 93
Elizabeth Webster, an untiring supporter of orchestral music across Canada, has died.
She was 93.
Known to friends as “Betty,” she died peacefully at her Dundas home on Wednesday, surrounded by family, her son-inlaw, internationally acclaimed conductor Boris Brott announced Friday.
Webster served as executive director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra from 1967 to 1975, and from 1975 to 1997 she held the same position for the Ontario Federation of Symphony Orchestras and the Association of Canadian Orchestras.
Webster was also the founding executive director of Orchestras Canada from 1997-2001, and a founding member of the Brott Festival board of directors.
In 1992, Webster was appointed to the Order of Canada. For her service to Canadian music, she was also awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1978, the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
“She was a huge supporter of the arts, not only in Hamilton, but nationally and internationally, representing Canadian orchestras worldwide,” Brott said Friday.
Brott, who met Webster when he was appointed HPO artistic director in 1969, said she had a profound belief in the value of orchestras as a community resource accessible to audiences of all ages and walks of life.
“She was a woman of great dignity, humour and warmth,” Brott said. “She also introduced me to my wife, Ardyth.”
Born in Toronto, Webster specialized in modern languages at the University of Toronto, Victoria College, graduating with honours in 1946.
Webster is survived by her children Mark, Ardyth (Boris), Charlie (Carole) and Jimmy (Mary-Anne), her grandchildren Alexandra, David (Marijana), Benjamin (Jennifer), Lauren (Mark), Callum and Colin; greatgrandchildren Isabella, Everett, Audrey and Eve.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 17, 2:30 p.m., at Christ Church Cathedral, 252 James St. N.