Farewell to Florence Partridge

From Arts in Guelph- May/June, 2004

Guelph Arts Council joined many other local organizations and individuals in recently mourning the loss but also celebrating the life of longtime Guelph resident Florence Partridge, who died on February 21, 2004, at the age of 97. At a memorial service held at the Arboretum on March 9, a large crowd of friends and admirers gathered to pay tribute to the contributions of this indomitable individual who was both a patron of the arts and an avid participant in the cultural life of this community.

It would be impossible to recount all that Florence did over her many years in Guelph, but it is quite clear that many community organizations benefited from her time and involvement. Guelph Arts Council was certainly one of these. Florence played a major role in the Council's heritage program, including the historical walking tours offered by Guelph Arts Council. She took over the work of architectural historian Gordon Couling who designed the first two tours. Following his death in 1984, she began a decade of painstaking research that produced the scripts for three more tours and eventually three accompanying guide booklets. The results of her efforts in this area are enjoyed every spring and fall by those who go on a guided Sunday walking tour.

In recognition of Florence's significant contributions in the community, Guelph Arts Council nominated Florence Partridge for the federal government's Lescarbot Award for outstanding service as a cultural volunteer. When then MP William Winegard presented this award in 1993, he praised the efforts she had made "for the greater good of the community in which she resided." A Macdonald Institute graduate, Florence returned to Guelph in 1932 to become assistant librarian at the Ontario Agricultural College. She ended her career as Chief Librarian of the University of Guelph in 1971. But retirement only gave her more time to participate as a cultural volunteer.

Among the many other community organizations in which Florence participated actively was Guelph Museums which named their gallery of social history in her honour. She served on the Museum Board of Management and played a crucial role in researching, cataloguing and documenting the Museum's photograph collection.

Florence was also keenly involved at Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, both as a volunteer docent and as an important benefactor. Over the years, she made possible the purchase of more than 26 works for the Centre's collection, including three in the Sculpture Park. Her last public appearance was in January 2004 when she presented the Centre a cheque for $100 000, bringing to $245 000 the purchase fund which had been established in her name in 1979.

Her other community involvements included the University of Guelph Alumni Association, the University Women's Club (now the Canadian Federation of University Women, Guelph Chapter), and the Guelph Trail Club.

Florence Partridge was indeed a "volunteer extraordinaire." She always worked quietly but vigorously and effectively, never asking for or expecting recognition. It is clear, though - if the awards she received over the years and the stories recounted by those who knew and worked with her are any indication - that her efforts did not go unrecognized and that she will truly be missed by Guelph's cultural community. She did make a difference!