Fonds 1726 - Rouillard Family fonds

Professor of French, University College.

Kay Riddell Rouillard, CM BA LLD, educator, artist, and social activist, was born in St. Lambert, Quebec, in 1906, the daughter of Harriet Page and Perry S. Dobson. Matriculating at Alma College, St. Thomas, she studied at University of Toronto's Victoria College, while assisting Arthur Lismer in art education for children. After graduation in 1929, she taught English and art in Ontario schools. In 1936 Kay married Robert Gerald Riddell, professor of history and later Canadian ambassador to the United Nations. After Gerry's death in 1951, Kay became the director of a community centre for students from abroad and led its transformation into the University of Toronto's International Student Centre and the acquisition of its present St. George Street quarters in 1966. After her retirement, Kay was awarded an honorary doctorate (University of Toronto 1973) and the Order of Canada (1974). A long-time member of the Spadina NDP she was, active in opposition to South African apartheid and other solidarity campaigns. In 1987 Kay married her friend of many decades, Clarence Dana Rouillard (1904-1991). She died peacefully in her 100th year on July 11, 2006 in Toronto.