Remembering Arlene Lampert
Arlene Lampert 1934-2023
Arlene passed away in her own home on February 22, 2023 It was peaceful and in her control. Arlene was a force of nature. Along with Gerald Lampert, Arlene was one of the founding members of the League of Canadian Poets.
As Executive Director of the League, she was integrally involved in some of their most important activities including touring poetry in schools. The Lamperts were well known for nurturing poetry, hosting large poetry events (and wild poetry focused parties), and were central to the new and vibrant poetry scene of the 1970’s and 1980’s in particular. She edited many books of poetry and was well beloved in the writing community. Also known for her famous Toronto ‘doll car,’ Arlene was fierce, generous, brilliant and beloved by so many. She will be sorely missed by her children Jay, Jo and daughter-in-law Jennifer and by her adoring grandchildren, Hector, Jaslyn and Gabriel.
A true pillar of Canada’s poetry community, she was amongst the founding group of the League of Canadian Poets and initiated many of the League’s most important activities – including the Poets in The Schools program, Canada Poetry Tours and her work editing many important books of poetry, amongst other things. Arlene was awarded Honourary Membership with the League in 1981 in gratitude of her dedication to poetry.
Arlene was a friend of my late mother Pat Lowther. They were both deeply involved with the League. I’m not sure I ever met her when I was a kid, because I never left BC, but I was so glad to meet Arlene in spring 1999 in Toronto where she lived. She was instant family. They say we are remembered mostly by how we make others feel. She made me feel loved and welcomed–in a rare way. She was complimentary of my poetry and so encouraging. She had a great sense of humour. She was vastly in love with her grandchildren. About a year ago I reached out by email because it had been too long. She was just as warm and enthusiastic as ever. She even said she felt proud and thrilled to hear where my life had taken me, and my sister’s too. We exchanged poems and pics. She sounded happy. I wish I could have said goodbye. The photo I’m attaching here is of Arlene and me with her interesting car, Toronto, spring 1999.
-Christine Lowther
For decades, Arlene was a stalwart supporter of Canadian poetry… and poets! She always had an open ear for all our concerns, personal or poetic, and an open heart! The parties she and Gerry threw for poets are legendary! She kept in touch over the years long after she retired from the League. Here’s celebrating her and all her many kindnesses over the years.
–Penn Kemp
In the cartoon, Garfield the Cat says to his girlfriend, Arlene “That’s okay Arlene, it’s the thought that counts. She counters with a sigh”. I met Arlene Lampert towards the end of her life. Sigh. Meeting her was like meeting the family relative I always wanted. One day I was walking past a newly created parkette at Markham Ave near Bathurst St. I looked at it and envisaged a poetry festival. I said that to my friend Wendy and she said let’s do it in honour of Arlene. Yes. We did. We contacted bill bissett, David Bateman and Robert Priest. The always supportive League of Canadian Poets helped fund us. We had wonderful publicity. Arlene’s daughter flew in from Australia. It was a sunny, warm, Sunday afternoon in the city. Arlene had the place of honour and we regaled her. She knew, that afternoon, she was loved, appreciated and important to us. She was at the ground floor of the creation of the League and we all benefited from her diligence and love of poetry. Me, particularly. Arlene you are the family relative I always wanted and finally found and even though our time together was short, it was meaningful and invaluable and I’m forever grateful.
–Honey Novick
I remember Arlene fondly from the 1970s. After I joined the League with the publication of my first book (“No Lingering Peace,” Fiddlehead Press), Arlene booked me into the Poetry Tours. I always felt personally included, not just a name to be slotted in.
–Marvyne Jenoff
Would you like to add a memorial statement? In memory and love for Arlene Lampert, please add your memorial statement here: airtable.com/shreNwjk5palcuft4
