Obituary of Rhoda Douglas

Douglas, Rhoda (nee Morris) Passed away peacefully at the Village of Riverside Glen on Friday, June 10, 2016, at the age of 92. Loving wife of Jack Douglas for more than 68 years. Devoted mother of Edward and Norman (Sandra). Cherished grandmother of Erik (Sarah), Adam (Nadia), Sarah (Matthew), Fiona, Owen, and great grandmother of Eli, Colin, and Isaac. Rhoda was the dear sister of Dr. Sylvia Kliman (the late Earl) and the late Victor (Anne). Fondly remembered by family in Canada, Scotland, England and USA. Rhoda had a colourful dancing career as a performer, teacher, examiner and adjudicator. From an early age, she attended dance lessons at the McEwan Studio in Glasgow along with her younger sister, Sylvia. After leaving school at the age of fourteen, she furthered her studies in ballet, tap, and stage at the Margaret Hopkins School of Dancing. By 1940, at the age of sixteen, Rhoda had started her own dance company. During WWII, she became heavily involved in raising funds for wartime charities, putting on shows with her students at many Glasgow theatres and dancing as part of a group of entertainers who performed for the Armed Forces in the Glasgow area. After the war, she continued to raise funds for children’s charities through proceeds earned from the annual dancing revues performed by her dance school, The Rhoda Morris School of Dancing. She also attended master classes in London, run by the famed Espinosa family, founders of the British Ballet Organization (BBO). Following her marriage to Jack in 1947 and a twelve-year hiatus raising their two sons, she resumed teaching in 1959, and became an examiner and adjudicator for the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD). In 1969, a new career opportunity for Jack saw he and Rhoda and their younger son, Eddie, immigrate to Canada, while their eldest son, Norman, remained in Glasgow to continue his university studies. In Windsor, Ontario, she re-started the Rhoda Morris School of Dancing as the RMD School of Dance. She remained active in teaching, examining, and adjudicating until the mid-1980s, travelling to venues in Ontario and Quebec representing the BATD at dance competitions and examinations. Rhoda later enjoyed a successful secondary career in real estate sales with Royal Trust in Windsor, and retired from the workforce in the early 1990s. A graveside service will be held in Guelph at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in the Beth Isaiah Section on Wednesday, June 15, at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited for a luncheon and to share memories of Rhoda's life directly after the service at Gilchrist Chapel, McIntyre & Wilkie, 1 Delhi St., Guelph. In the spirit of Rhoda’s selfless work raising funds for children’s charities, a memorial contribution to SickKids Foundation would be greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to leave your condolences and/or donations online at www.gilchristchapel.com Service Information Service Date Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Service Time 1:00 p.m. Service Location GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Beth Isaiah Section at Woodlawn Memorial Park cemetery Burial Date Jun 15, 2016 Burial Time 1:00 p.m. Requested Charity SickKids Foundation