Victereene (Vicky) Bertha Draper, a founding administrator at York University’s Glendon College in 1959, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ont. She was 83.
Victereene Draper
Draper’s love of learning and academia resulted in a very successful career in higher education. Her first position was working with Denis Smith, a political scientist put in charge of student recruitment. She went on to hold several important positions at York, including assistant registrar and assistant to the dean of the Faculty of Arts. She worked her way up to senior executive officer in the Faculty of Arts at the Keele campus. She retired in 1990.
Her connection to the University continued, though. In the spring of 1991, she was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree by York University. Eight years later, she was named to the York University Founders Honour Society for her contributions to the founding and early development of the University.
York University was also where Draper met her late partner, David Fowle. Together they shared a love of nature, travelling and academia.
Draper was born in Barrie on April 4, 1930, and grew up north of Elmvale.
In accordance with her wishes, a funeral or reception will not be held at this time. Instead, a celebration of her life will be organized at a later date.
Donations can be made in memoriam to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.