An Unselfish Life

In the death of Miss Alice Thomson, Toronto lost a talented, devoted public health worker. For more than 20 years she served the city in the public health department, first as supervisor of public health nursing in Moss Park district and since 1929 as super­visor of maternal and child welfare for the department.

The development and improvement of Toronto's protective health services for ex­pectant and nursing mothers, infants and preschool children are in no small measure due to Miss Thomson's efforts. The decline in maternal and infant-death rates and the increase of knowledge among mothers about infant and preschool children's care were promoted by her untiring devotion. Alice Thomson helped to spread education among parents concerning the psychological as well as physical needs of children. She was among the pioneers championing nursery schools and playgrounds for preschool children and other community services to promote the healthy development of all children. Move­ments to prevent deaths of mothers in child­birth received Miss Thomson's continuous and practical support.

Toronto among large centres has been most successful in abolishing low-standard institutions for unmarried mothers and "parking places" for foundlings – those dis-reputable, overcrowded infant boarding homes where many children died of neglect and starvation. Miss Thomson's unceasing and uncompromising vigilance helped not only to drive such institutions from Toronto, but to her efforts also are due some of the by-laws and provincial regulations to prevent their return. She helped to formulate and put into operation good modern standards for day nurseries, foster homes and other agencies entrusted with the daily care of young children.

An extremely modest person, Alice Thomson would disclaim these tributes to her large share in the past 20 years' progress in Toronto's public health and child welfare services. It is true that an individual cannot alone effect major social changes. But an in­dividual does succeed who is able to inspire others and win their active co-operation. Miss Thomson possessed such gifts. She was an Active member of the Child Welfare council and later the Toronto Welfare Council, and provided wise, courageous leadership on many committees concerned about the needs of mothers and children. Because she was so modest she never ceased to be a student; frequently she overtaxed her strength taking courses to keep up with developments in her profession. What she learned she quickly passed on to the staff and thus to many mothers for the protection of the city's young.

In her private as well as professional life, Miss Thomson gave generously of her energies and talents to those who needed her. Her kindly, cheerful presence will be missed by a host of friends and colleagues. But the essence of her life will continue in the growth of wisdom, wellbeing and happiness of generations of mothers and children.

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THOMSON, Lionel Joe - Suddenly at North York General Hospital an Thursday, March 3, 1994. Lionel, beloved husband of Helen. Dear father of Patricia. Beloved brother of Shirley (Mrs. Jack Hill). Loving uncle of Christopher, Peter and Alison. Brother-in-law of Eunice McGarry and Dorothy Lord. Friends will be received at the JERRETT FUNERAL HOME, 660 Kennedy Rd., Scarborough (between Eglinton and St. Clair Aves. East), 2-4 and 7-9 p.m, Friday. A private funeral service will be held. For those wishing, donations tothe Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Those we hold

Most dear

Never truly leave us

They live on

In the kindnesses

They showed,

The comfort they shared,

And  the love they brought

Into our lives.

In Loving Memory Of

John Peter "Jack" Hill

Passed away at the Haliburton Hospital

on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at the age of 83.

Beloved husband of Shirley (née Thomson). Dear father of Chris, Peter and Alison. Loving grandpa of J.D. and Alannah. Dear brother of Lois (Rod) Mens, Keith (Mildred) Hill, Betty (Norman) Harrison, and great nephew of Celia Brown. Fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews and family and friends.

Visitation, Funeral Service and Reception

Friends are invited to visit the family at the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., 127 Main St. Minden (www.gordonmonkfuneralhome.com.) on Friday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm. Funeral Service will be held in our Chapel on Saturday, December 31, 2005 at 11:00 am. Reception to follow in the family centre. Spring Interment at the Ingoldsby Pioneer  Cemetery.

Memorial Donations to the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHSF) or to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

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