Lisa Joan Sherlock

Joy and Woe are woven fine 

A Clothing for the soul divine 

Under every grief and pine 

Runs a joy with silken twine 

William Blake - Auguries of Innocence  

Lisa Joan Sherlock, 58, a compassionate, intelligent, gentle, and witty woman whose humanity and love radiated from so deeply within, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 20th, 2024. 

Born December 20th, 1965, Lisa demonstrated a profound love of reading and learning from an early age. After graduating from North Albion Collegiate Institute, an insatiable desire for academics led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English from York University, a Masters of Library Science, and Masters of Arts in English from the University of Toronto.  

She began her career at E.J Pratt Library in 1993, later becoming Head of Readers Services in 1999, and then eventually the Chief Librarian in 2014. Throughout her career, she distinguished herself and earned the respect and admiration of her peers. Her contributions in procuring for and enhancing the William Blake, E.J. Pratt, Northrop Frye, Virginia Woolf, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and the Bloomsbury Group collections serve as a testament to her expertise and dedication. Furthermore, after years of researching and revising, an academic article that she took great care to perfect — which questioned the attribution of annotations considered not in the hand of William Blake and instead argued that they were, indeed, written by Blake — was accepted and published in Blake Quarterly. To describe her reaction to this acceptance as anything less than overjoyed would be an understatement. 

Her ability to balance a keenly analytical mind with a warm and generous heart made her a cherished friend, mentor, and confidante. She delighted in sharing her love of literature, gifting her nephews and niece with first edition copies of their favourite books. Her delightful and impeccable choice of birthday cards procured many months in advance as she happened upon them were on every occasion admired. It was also of the utmost importance to her to experience all the world had to offer, as she took numerous trips to Europe and around the United States with her family. Each trip brought with it another museum, library, or art gallery to cross off her list. 

Above all, Lisa was a devoted mother who adored her daughter Isabel. They loved to go out for dinner, to visit museums, to shop, to go on walks together. Likewise, Lisa always spoke lovingly of “Mr. Zhu” as her personal medical science researcher, appreciating his constancy and steadfastness. Although Lisa was an incredibly busy woman, she always had time to write or chat, and her conversations were invariably uplifting. Even towards the end, she would answer, brushing aside her difficulties, sharing little stories or tidbits. Her life was a testament to the beauty of a soul who innately understood and cherished the people around her.  

Lisa is survived by her husband David Zhu and her cherished daughter Isabel Zhu, her mother Laurel Gene Sherlock, her siblings Shelley McAulay, (Michael), Robert Cannon-Sherlock (Laura), 

Jeffrey Sherlock (Nadia), her in-laws Luis Zhu and Jenny Chen, as well as her beloved nephews, niece, aunts, uncles, and cousins who will forever hold her memory dear. She was predeceased by her loving father, John William Sherlock, whose work ethic and dedication to family undoubtedly passed on to her. 

A visitation will be held from 1-4 pm on Sunday May 26th, 2024, at Ward Funeral Home (Weston). A celebration of Lisa’s life will be held the following morning at 10:00 am on Monday May 27th, 2024, at Victoria College Chapel, University of Toronto. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in memory of Lisa to Victoria University’s Pratt Library. Gifts can be mailed to the Office of Alumni Affairs and Advancement, 150 Charles Street West, Toronto Ontario, M5S 1K9 (cheques should be made out to Victoria University), or made online at https:/my.alumni.utoronto.ca/Sherlock  

Lisa’s wisdom, strength, warmth, and compassion will always be remembered.