Maureen Carpenter
June 18, 1938 – November 10, 2021
Maureen died peacefully at the Civic Hospital on November 10, aged 83, having been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in early summer. As her illness progressed, she retained her strong spirit, remaining at home until the day before she died. Born to Haydn and Alma Allen (Purcell) in Rhondda, Wales, her formative years were spent in nearby Cardiff. Her father was a gifted musician, playing clarinet and saxophone. Her mother was a versatile pianist; musical evenings at home were frequent and Maureen played piano from an early age.
After high school she became a public servant, later meeting her devoted future husband Graham at a community dance. They were married in 1963. He was a graduate student who, after completing his Ph.D., gained a Post-doctoral Fellowship at Cambridge for 3 years. A joint sense of adventure led them to Canada in 1967 where Graham worked at the Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories. Soon after, Maureen joined the personnel department at the laboratories. She was later admitted to Carleton University in a Masters program, graduating in 1982. They moved to Ottawa in 1981 where Maureen worked for twenty years on the development of national mortality and cancer data files at Statistics Canada, retiring in 2002.
The 14 years spent living in Deep River were life changing. She and Graham joined the local Choral Society, singing major oratorios and taking part in Broadway musicals. They skied in winter, sailed and played tennis in summer. In Ottawa, Maureen joined the Ottawa Choral Society (OCS) in 1983 and continued as an active member helping organize their overseas tours until the Pandemic halted activities. She was an active supporter of Canadian Amateur Musicians (CAMMAC), helping organize “Come Sing Messiah” for many years.
Maureen is greatly missed by her husband Graham, brothers-in-law Bryan Gough and David Carpenter (Julie Broadbent), nephew Andrew Gough (Marsha, and son Joshua), cousin Geoffrey Allen (Cherry) and relatives in the north of England. She was pre-deceased by her beloved younger sister, Margaret Gough.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the many friends and health workers for support during her illness. In accordance with her wishes, her ashes will be re-located at Cardiff Thornhill Cemetery (Wales). A musical celebration of her life is planned for the New Year. Donations are welcomed for the ALS Society or the OCS.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Maureen Carpenter Wednesday November 10th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario
Maureen’s sunny and encouraging smile was a highlight of annual CAMMAC performances and Come Sing Messiah. She made everyone feel so very welcome. Sincere condolences to you, Graham, for your deep loss – shared by the hundreds who knew her..
Dear Graham,
I’m so sorry that Maureen has died. The two of you are very dear to me and I will feel her loss deeply. I hope that you, Graham will continue to come to CAMMAC summer camp and to play in the Come Sing Messiah.
Dear Graham and family,
I am so sorry to lose Maureen. She was always at CAMMAC with you the same weeks I was there and always with you at the Come Sing Messiah. I loved talking to you both and will miss Maureen a lot.
My sympathies to you and to your family.
Louise Mortimer