The Legacy of Helen Howard

Post Date:
Sep 27, 2022

It is with sadness and reverence that Queen’s University Library marks the peaceful passing of Dr. Helen Arlene Howard in Kingston General Hospital on September 6, after a brief illness. Born Helen Arlene Creighton in Kingston, Ont., in 1927, she entered Queen’s University as a member of the class of 1949. After graduating from Queen’s, she attended McGill University earning a Masters in Library Science, and later Rutgers University for her PhD.  

Helen has encouraged excellence and facilitated achievement at Queen’s, and within the Kingston community for over a half-century. Her steadfast support for libraries and their patrons has been a prominent feature throughout a distinguished career which brought her to McGill, the University of Toronto, and the National Library in Ottawa. Helen also established libraries for the Newsprint Association of Canada and Montreal Engineering Company before becoming University Librarian at Sir George William University (Concordia).

Helen’s philanthropy has placed her university’s 1841 Circle and in the Royal Legacy Society. Her contributions support a variety of departments and initiatives at Queen’s such as the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University Library, and the Queen’s music program. Her generosity established funds including the Helen A. Howard Bassoon Scholarship in the Dan School of Music (2008), the Helen Howard Music Coaching Fund (2010), The Helen Howard Music Education and Community Fund (2013), and the Helen Howard Library Enhancement Fund, which lead to the Helen Howard Graduate Students Reading Room (2017). Helen's contributions also supported the Queen’s Community Music — Sistema Kingston Fund.

"Helen’s lifelong dedication to libraries is a legacy Queen’s University Library is grateful to be a part of. Her outstanding generosity has been instrumental in the enhancement of the library experience, particularly through the establishment of the Helen Howard Graduate Students Reading Room, which doubled the dedicated library space for graduate students on campus." said Vice Provost and University Librarian Mark Asberg. "On behalf of our library and staff I want to extend our condolences to Helen’s family and reiterate how thankful we are for her efforts which continue to have positive impacts in our campus community and beyond."

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