A valued member of our musical community has passed away suddenly at home on Sept 13 at the age of 67.
A native of Oshawa, Ontario, Jill Northey spent most of her life in the world of music. A graduate of McGill University, University of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory (voice and piano), with graduate work at the Royal Academy (London) and Westminster Choir College (Princeton), she studied with such world-renowned musicians as Alexander Brott, Vivian Langrish, Margaret Hillis, Eric Ericson, Wayne Ridell, Elizabeth Dawson and Jean MacPhail. Her performing and teaching careers took her from Montreal to London, England, to Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.) and back to Canada where she sang under Elmer Iseler in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and taught choral conducting at the University of Western Ontario.
An accomplished musician and educator, Jill taught music as a private teacher as well as in public and private schools around the world. She had extensive choral experience as a singer and a director of ensembles including directing several choirs all based in the Huronia area: the Huronia Choristers, the Huronia Children’s Chorus and Serenata. In 1992, as Director of Serenata, she was awarded the Canada 125 medal for outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the Huronia area. As a teacher, Jill dedicated much of her career to developing the skills of many young musicians, several of whom moved on to successful university training (in music and related fields) and interesting, vital careers.
An accomplished musician and educator, Jill taught music as a private teacher as well as in public and private schools around the world. She had extensive choral experience as a singer and a director of ensembles including directing several choirs all based in the Huronia area: the Huronia Choristers, the Huronia Children’s Chorus and Serenata. In 1992, as Director of Serenata, she was awarded the Canada 125 medal for outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the Huronia area. As a teacher, Jill dedicated much of her career to developing the skills of many young musicians, several of whom moved on to successful university training (in music and related fields) and interesting, vital careers.
In addition to her passion for music, Jill had a deep love of travel, adventure and the exotic which she fondly shared with her two nieces Madeleine and Simone. She regaled them with stories of her travels abroad including Europe, Australia and Turkey, making her own Turkish coffee or how in 1985, she obtained her pilot’s licence at the Oshawa Flying Club. Summer visits included trips to the Bowmanville zoo to see the “movie star” inhabitants and an elephant ride.
Her exuberant sense of mischief and joy would occasionally burst forth in a few quick toe taps or a jig. When visiting her sister in Ottawa Jill was always game to watch an old musical, a Hitchcock thriller or Mr. Bean.
With an active imagination and curious mind, Jill’s interests went well beyond music. They included gardening, homemade preserves, pickleball and her most recent passion, ping pong which gave rise to the Annual Summer Cottage Ping-Pong Tournament with her cousin Norah and the installation of a ping-pong table in Jill’s living room.
Her exuberant sense of mischief and joy would occasionally burst forth in a few quick toe taps or a jig. When visiting her sister in Ottawa Jill was always game to watch an old musical, a Hitchcock thriller or Mr. Bean.
With an active imagination and curious mind, Jill’s interests went well beyond music. They included gardening, homemade preserves, pickleball and her most recent passion, ping pong which gave rise to the Annual Summer Cottage Ping-Pong Tournament with her cousin Norah and the installation of a ping-pong table in Jill’s living room.
Most of all, Jill loved her students and her cats Henry, Alice, Genny and Bella, who were often an integral and wildly entertaining part of her music lessons. They even became the subject of stories, art and poetry.
Despite failing health, Jill made every effort to support her parents, Donald Alexander Northey of Fenelon Falls, ON and Winifred Florence (Sheppard) Northey of Lark Harbour, NL whom she loved deeply. She remained a dedicated and vigilant daughter throughout their final years.
Donations in Jill’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross Society or to Street Cats-Cat Rescue and Adoption Inc. would be most appreciated.
Donations in Jill’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross Society or to Street Cats-Cat Rescue and Adoption Inc. would be most appreciated.
A memorial gathering is being considered for a later time.
Send Flowers
Elm Flower Shoppe
52 Yonge St., S
Elmvale, Ontario
L0L 1P0
Tel: 705-322-1550