DOOLITTLE TO BE FETED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY
Pandemic-delayed celebration of life for theatre doyen turns into book
For Calgary writer, producer, musician and arts facilitator Sally Truss, a promise made is a promise delivered.
When Calgary arts leader Joyce Doolittle died on March 6, 2020, Truss met with Lisa and Megan, Doolittle's two surviving children. Truss had grown up with the four Doolittle children after the family moved to Calgary in 1960 because the Truss and Doolittle families had become fast and lasting friends.
“In 1988, when my father passed away, I held a big celebration of his life at the Pumphouse Theatre. Joyce came to me and said that when she died, she wanted me to organize the same kind of life celebration for her.
“She said, `I want one of these,' ” recalls Truss.
After Doolittle died, her daughters and Truss started discussing a celebration of life, but that was derailed when COVID restrictions and shutdowns were announced.
No one had any idea at the time how long that would last.
“Megan reminded me that Joyce said I had promised to plan her celebration, but I had no idea how I was going to keep that promise.
“Joyce always used to say that you can make something out of nothing if you put your mind to it and all your energy behind it. Her saying was that if you can think it, it can be done and that became my motivation. All I knew was that I had to honour her because Joyce was huge in my life as a teacher, friend and mentor.”
Out of all the ideas discussed, the trio decided on a memorial book that gave them “the kind of quality control Joyce's memory deserved.”
Truss put out a call on Facebook for tributes to Doolittle. She immediately received five responses, which told her she was on the right track. She approached Calgary Arts Development Association for funding. “They gave us a small grant, which allowed me to bring together a team of women who all had amazing histories of their own.
“We put out calls on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and email, and my file folder grew by the day with letters and photos. Exactly a year later, I edited the first proof.”
The book contains stories, anecdotes and tributes from 60 people who benefited from Doolittle's influence, friendship and love. It also includes essays about her life before coming to Calgary and her involvement in the city with arts groups and the university where she taught.
There will be a virtual launch of Joyce Doolittle: A Community Telling Stories on Tuesday at 7 p.m. through Shelf Life Books with actors
All I knew was that I had to honour her because Joyce was huge in my life as a teacher, friend and mentor.
Christopher Hunt and Shawna Burnett reading from the book as well as video shorts of Doolittle.
To register for this launch, go to bookmanager.com/7603274/?q=h. calevents. Copies of the book are for sale at Shelf Life Books.