Judith McErval
Judith McErvel, the accomplished archivist, real estate agent and friend to many, has died suddenly in Toronto on Sunday. April 24, 2016. The engrossing synopsis of Ms. McErval’s life is published at the Humphrey funeral home site. A service and reception will be held Friday, May 6th at 1:00 p.m. at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W.Miles – Newbigging Chapel 1403 Bayview Ave. Ms. McErval was a graduate of Havergal College, University College at U of T in Philosophy and History with honours and a member of the Alpha Gamma Sorority. She attended graduate studies at the University of London and then toured post-war Europe in a red MG convertible with three girlfriends.
EATON’S ARCHIVIST
She worked in advertising and sales before becoming the archivist for the T. Eaton Company from 1961-98. She collected and catalogued documents and objects related to the company’s history, an undertaking that produced invaluable insights into Canada’s social evolution. She lectured widely on the topic and was the co-author of A Shopper’s View of Canada’s Past: Pages from the Eaton’s Catalogues, 1886-1930 (1969). Later she was archivist at Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. She was involved with the establishment of the University of Toronto Art Centre, and, in 2005, she led a team to bring order to the much-neglected University College Archives. Her love of Toronto history led her to become a Member of the Toronto Historical Board and her much-beloved Town of York Historical Society. An avid bridge player, cryptic crossword devotee and voracious reader, she was also a great theatre and classical concert-goer.
