Schwager, Agatha

SCHWAGER, Agatha (née Spreij) - Passed away very suddenly May 2, 2010, while in Montreal surrounded by loving family. She had celebrated her 70th birthday on February 24 and had just opened her newest art exhibition of ink paintings on May 1st with many friends and family. She is deeply missed by her devoted husband of nearly 50 years, Dr. Walter Schwager, former Dean of Social Sciences at Laurentian University, her daughter Jeannette Lambert , her son-in-law Michel Lambert, her beloved grandsons, Jérme and Théo, her son Reg Schwager and her daughter-in-law Kiki Misumi, her sister Gerthe Tesson and her brother Peter Spreij and their families, and her in-laws in both Holland and Canada. She was born in Arnhem, Holland, in 1940, the first-born daughter of architect Jan C. Spreij and Jeannette Spreij née Schurink. As a child she lived through the trauma of WWII, included the infamous Battle of Arnhem. Agatha first studied at the Arnhem Academy of Fine Arts. Agatha and Walter married in 1961 and then moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, where she began painting landscapes. In 1969 the family settled in Sudbury, Ontario. Here, in the landscape of the Canadian Shield, she found further inspiration for her water colours as well as her photography. She had three solo exhibitions at the Sudbury Museum and Art Centre. Agatha also produced a large collection of batik textiles; her work is in the collection of Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. She moved to Toronto in 1979 to study visual arts at York University, where she received her MFA. There she exhibited her 'Memory Room', an installation based on drawings of her childhood memories. At York she also taught several drawing courses. From 1992 until 1997 she was living in Southern France, where she taught at the Université canadienne en France in Villefranche-sur-mer. Her exhibition entitled 'Renaissance' was featured at the Chapelle Ste. Elisabeth gallery in Villefranche-sur- mer. After returning to her home in Chinatown in Toronto, Agatha had further exhibitions at the WARC Gallery in Toronto, and at Galerie Luz in Montreal. See http://www.agathaschwager.com for images. Agatha has been highly influential in the large circle of her students, fellow artists and jazz musicians all over the world. Her intuitive and creative philosophy of life inspired everyone who met her, and her two children are both jazz artists. Agatha and Walter's home has always been a vibrant place for the exchange of ideas and loving support. She suffered several health setbacks during her lifetime, overcoming tuberculosis and malignant melanoma, both of which she fought with great courage, strength and intelligence. We thank the HOPE Clinic in Toronto for their attentive care during the last several years. Visitation from 12- 1pm followed by a memorial service at 1pm will be held at the MOUNT PLEASANT VISITATION CENTRE 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto (east gate entrance) on Wednesday May 12th. Interment and reception to follow.