THE HEAVY LIFTERS - Stanstead College

The heart of art at Stanstead College for 28 years, Maggi
Graham died in Vancouver on August 12 after a battle with
Alzheimer’s disease. She was 75.
Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, where she studied at Grays School
of Art, Robert Gordon's College, Maggi and Duncan Graham
and their son Malcolm first came to Stanstead College from
Toronto in 1958 when Duncan accepted a position as a
Chemistry teacher. After one year and another son, Lomond, the
Grahams moved back to Toronto only to return in 1961 when
Duncan accepted a position as Geography teacher.
After acting as house director of Davis House and two more
children – Fiona and Rona – Maggi was hired as the school’s Art
teacher in 1964.
“That began an incredible stint in the Model School that lasted
for 28 years,” stated The Spectrum upon her retirement in 1992.
“Through all that time, Mrs. Graham has taught skills and
encouraged creativity without imposing any one particular style
upon her students. A testimony to her success is the number of
alumni who kept in touch with her and recognized the difference
she made to their lives.”
In fact, a number of alumni contacted the College upon learning
of Maggi’s death.
One of those students was Barry Martin, Class of `88, who
today runs a communications design firm, Hypenotic, in
Toronto.
“I was a born illustrator, and Maggi encouraged me to keep
drawing,” he wrote. “She supplied me with as many supplies as I
could handle, let me do my own thing if I wanted, or would
come up with exercises if she felt I could use some guidance. I
From 1977 - 1979 Maggi (left) took karate classes with the students at
Stanstead earning her High Green Belt.
Maggi Graham
20
1932 - 2007
could come and go from class as I pleased. At first all of the freedom
seemed like an opportunity to relax (like I was getting away
with something) but it quickly became apparent that she was giving
me a chance to develop a passion for a craft in an official setting….
It was 20 years ago, but the impression her irreverence
left on me was indelible.”
Alec Rutgers `78 wrote, “I remember Maggi as a patient,
enthusiastic teacher who always made her classes something to
look forward to each week. Those types of teachers are not
always easy to find and not all teachers possess the qualities necessary
to make a class a delight.”
But Maggi’s life did not start and end in the classroom. The following
is a short, incomplete list of her interests and involvement
while in Stanstead: