Rosemary Aubert

Rosemary M Aubert

Toronto, Ontario – Rosemary M. Aubert , 77,  passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Scarborough General Hospital in Toronto, after a brief illness. Rosemary was born in Niagara Falls, NY on May 4, 1946, and was the first child of the late Joseph A. Proe and the late Marie (D’Amico) Proe. 

            Rosemary spent her childhood in Niagara Falls, NY before going on to St. Bonaventure University, from which she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1968. She began her publishing career in New York City prior to moving to Toronto in 1970. She earned a Master’s degree in English Literature from York University. 

Rosemary was an accomplished author with over 20 published books along with numerous articles, reviews, interviews, and poems in print. She was best known in the literary world for her acclaimed Ellis Portal mystery series. She also wrote several stand-alone novels, contributed to short story collections, and published several volumes of poetry. Rosemary was a two-time winner of the prestigious Arthur Ellis Award, Canada’s highest award for crime writing, having won in both the novel and short-story categories in different years. 

Following an editorial position at McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Rosemary began working for Harlequin Books and quickly moved from editor to author, publishing four romances in as many years under the pen name Lucy Snow, a nod to Charlotte Bronte’s Vilette.  However, volunteering at a halfway house awakened a new interest and sent her writing career on a different path. She earned a Certificate in Criminology from the University of Toronto and spent the next ten years in various positions in the criminal justice system.  Rosemary’s experiences in the real world of crime informed and enriched much of her literary work and inspired the characters that inhabit many of her books.

Rosemary was not only a gifted, award-winning author, she was a talented writing teacher who will be remembered by her students and fellow writers as unfailingly generous and supportive.  She taught popular courses at the University of Toronto Continuing Studies and Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, led creative writing workshops throughout Canada and the United States, and was a frequent guest lecturer at colleges, universities, writers' groups, and conferences. Rosemary’s teaching was enhanced by her natural warmth, intelligence, and curiosity. She was dedicated to learning and personal growth, continuing even in her later years to take courses at the University of Toronto and Cambridge University. 

Rosemary was a member of The American Women’s Club, Friends of the Don East, the Crime Writers of Canada, the Mystery Writers of America, the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto, and several other literary organizations. Rosemary attended the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto.  

            Rosemary is survived by her beloved husband, artist Douglas Purdon; her siblings, Linda Proe, David Proe (Lynn Zischka), Tony Proe (Jayne Martin) and Joseph T. Proe (Susan Connor); her nieces and nephews, Kathryn Proe (Alessio Giacobone), Colden Proe, Lilliana Proe, and Sophie Proe; and nephew Scott Purdon (Monica Kearsey), niece Andrea Purdon (Rick Westcott), and their families. 

A memorial service with reception to follow will be held at 11:00 AM on April 19^th at the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge Street, Toronto. To offer condolences please visit www.wardfuneralhomes.com.