McGill mourns the death of Phyllis Shapiro

Dr Phyllis Shapiro, McGill education professor and wife of Principal Emeritus Bernard Shapiro, passed away late Saturday at the Jewish General Hospital after a courageous, yet short, battle with cancer.

Principal Heather Munroe-Blum joined with the entire McGill community in mourning the loss of this distinguished woman who touched so many with the joy, energy and enthusiasm that she expressed in her teaching, her work with her husband, and in all that she did in life.

"Phyllis had a unique ability to connect with her students, her colleagues and her community, and to care about them," Principal Munroe-Blum said.

"When McGill gained Bernard as Principal, we also received a tremendous gift in Phyllis — in her deep commitment, passion and pride for McGill," Principal Munroe-Blum added. "She was a remarkable and inspiring person, and she will be enormously missed."

Phyllis (née Schwartz) Shapiro (DipEd'54) held a doctorate in education from Boston University. She taught at the McGill Faculty of Education. Bernard Shapiro first met Phyllis when she was a 22-year-old grade-six teacher, and he credits her for introducing him to the field of education that became his life's work.

On behalf of the McGill community, Principal Munroe-Blum extended deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to Bernard Shapiro, their two children and grandchildren, and their larger family.

The flag will be lowered at McGill on Tuesday. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 am at the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue, 450 Kensington Ave., Westmount, Quebec.