Who was Joyce H. Newton and why did she give $316,000 to Concordia?
Future students at Concordia’s Department of Geography, Planning and Environment will soon benefit from a generous planned gift of $316,000 from the late Joyce H. Newton.
Her bequest in support of the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now — a bequest which represented half of her estate — reflects a lifelong commitment to education and philanthropy.
Born in Montreal on April 14, 1936, Newton led a life marked by dedication, prudence and quiet generosity. She passed away of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on April 6, 2021, just shy of her 85th birthday.
Newton was known for her diligence and attention to detail throughout a decades-long career in alumni records at McGill University, where she also completed an undergraduate degree in 1958.
Her life was deeply intertwined with Montreal’s academic and cultural fabric. Her father, Thomas C. Newton, hailed from Edinburgh, Scotland, and her mother, Mary Hamilton David, had roots in Braemar and Scone, towns in Scotland.
The family’s Scottish heritage and active lifestyle in the west end of Montreal shaped Newton’s childhood. She enjoyed frequent trips to the Laurentians and Eastern Townships, and was an avid cross-country skier, tennis player, figure skater and member of the Girl Guides.
In the late 1940s, the Newton family embarked on a memorable cross-Atlantic trip to Scotland aboard the passenger ship Lismoria and travelled widely throughout the country. These experiences fostered a lifelong love for travel, which led Newton to explore parts of Canada, the United States, Europe and the Caribbean as an adult.
‘Dignified, refined and quiet’
Newton’s professional life was characterized by her dedication to her alma mater, McGill University, the other recipient of Newton’s estate. She worked well past the typical retirement age and she maintained the university’s alumni records with meticulous care.
“What I remember most about Joyce was her kind and gentle way — and her strong work ethic,” recalls Susan Reid, a former colleague. “She was known for her efficiency and accuracy in all levels of her work.”
Another colleague, Susan Button, remembers Joyce as “dignified, refined and quiet. She would come out on our ladies’ payday lunches for a laugh and a glass of wine. When I remember Joyce, I think of a kind, soft-spoken lady.”
Joyce Newton (left) and a colleague at McGill University in 1964.
Though she never wed or had children of her own, Newton’s life was rich with friendships and charity work. Her modest lifestyle belied her significant philanthropic contributions.
Indeed, she supported dozens of non-profit organizations, from animal welfare groups to institutions such as the Old Brewery Mission, McCord Museum and Douglas Hospital.
Friends often noted that her apartment was sparsely furnished, a reflection of her frugality and preference for saving.
Significant bequests to both Concordia and McGill University’s Department of Geography underscore Newton’s deep commitment to education.
She left her entire estate to the two English-language Montreal institutions, equally divided to support students in geography-related fields.
“Joyce Newton’s gift has come as a wonderful surprise,” remarks Craig Townsend, chair of the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia.
“Her generosity will provide invaluable support to our students and ensure that her legacy endures. We are deeply thankful and grateful for this contribution.”
Join Joyce H. Newton in giving back. Consult with our planned giving experts to learn how you can build a legacy that supports the next generation of Concordians.