In Memoriam

Condolences to President Axworthy and Family
in the loss of Mother and Grandmother Mrs. Gwen Axworthy

June 21, 2009

Our University and Foundation express deepest condolences to the Axworthy Family on the passing of Mrs. Gwen Axworthy, age 92, in Winnipeg on Sunday, June 21, 2009. In addition to being a beloved Mother and Grandmother, Mrs. Axworthy is one of Winnipeg's well known and honoured citizens.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends wishing to pay tribute in honour of Mrs. Axworthy may donate to The University of Winnipeg Foundation, designated for the Norman J. and Gwen Axworthy Peace Education Fund.

The Norman J. and Gwen Axworthy Peace Fund, established in May 2005, is dedicated to helping refugees and war-affected persons through financial assistance in the form of registration fees for courses and programs at Uwinnipeg and for exchange courses abroad.

UWinnipeg and its Foundation Mourn Passing
of Dr. Henry E. Duckworth, OC

Duckworth1

December 18, 2008

The University of Winnipeg Foundation joins with The University of Winnipeg in expressing profound sadness at the passing of University of Winnipeg President Emeritus and University of Winnipeg Foundation Director Emeritus Dr. Henry (Harry) E. Duckworth on December 18, 2008 in Winnipeg.

"Dr. Duckworth is the epitome of what The University of Winnipeg stands for - academic excellence, commitment, dedication and generosity," said UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. "In many ways, he symbolizes our distinguished history with his nurturing of higher education and his belief in our institution and the students we serve. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the University."

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Duckworth was one of the inaugural members appointed to The University of Winnipeg Foundation’s Board of Directors. He served as the Honorary Chairperson of the Internal Family Campaign. "To the very end, he was the most committed supporter The University of Winnipeg ever had and we will miss him profoundly,"€ said UWinnipeg Chancellor and University of Winnipeg Foundation Board Chair H. Sanford Riley.

Our University of Winnipeg Foundation Board of Directors and Staff extend their sincere condolences to family members, and join with the University community in deeply mourning the loss of Dr. Duckworth.

A life-long educator, Dr. Duckworth started his career as a high school teacher, then went on to serve at several universities, including United College, the University of Manitoba, Wesleyan University, McMaster University, and Universite Laval. Dr. Duckworth contributed to governance and administration of each of those universities including leadership roles at the University of Manitoba, where he served as Vice-President, Chancellor, and President Emeritus, and The University of Winnipeg, where he served as President and Vice-Chancellor, and President Emeritus.

A nuclear physicist by training, Dr. Duckworth was recognized as a world leader in mass spectroscopy. He is the author of four books on mathematics and nuclear physics, and co-authored a book on philately, or stamp collecting. He published his autobiography, One Version of the Facts - My Life in the Ivory Tower in 2000.

The University community and friends and colleagues everywhere will greatly miss this extraordinary man and what was described by one of his friends as his "€œwry wit and gentle, infectious and often self-deprecating good humour."

Former students from throughout Dr. Duckworth’s years of teaching will cherish their memories of him. One of his former students, now retired University of Winnipeg Professor James Duff, in recent conversations told the Foundation that in 1938, when Grade 11 was the highest grade offered at high school, it was his good fortune to go on to study at The Collegiate (United College) for his Grade 12, where Professor Duckworth was one of the new teachers. He describe this has having had a great impact on his career.

"It was my experience at The Collegiate, including taking classes from the newly graduated physics teacher and future University of Winnipeg President, Harry Duckworth,€“ that laid the foundation for my future career. Professor Duckworth was a great instructor," he says. "Studying with him was inspirational."

For information:
University of Winnipeg Announcement of Dr. Duckworth’s Passing
UWinnipeg Alumni Journal 2006 Article: “Dr. Duckworth – Family Friend”