Georgina Mildred Tupper (née Park)

Georgie died peacefully in the early hours of Monday January 5, 2026 at the Kemptville District Hospital.

Born May 9, 1933, Georgie was raised by her mother Mildred Park and her grandparents Elias and Hattie Park in Old Barns, Colchester County, Nova Scotia. After graduating high school in 1950 she worked in a dress shop and later as a bank clerk in Truro. Returning from a holiday journey by train she met her future husband William (Bill) Tupper and they were married May 20, 1953 in Salmon River, Nova Scotia – the official beginning of a 72-year loving relationship.

Georgie was predeceased by her daughter Sharyl (married to Ralph Marshall) in 1999, her brother-in-law Chalmers Hatcher (2001) and sister-in-law Shirley Anne Tupper (Hatcher) (2009) - all before their time.

Georgie is remembered by her husband Bill, son David, his wife Laura (Hartin), and her grandchildren Gregory Tupper (Emily), Nancy Norton (Matt) and Matthew Marshall (Melissa). As “GG”, Gramma Georgie holds a special place in the hearts of her four great-grandchildren, Alice and Lucy Norton, and Ella and Sam Tupper, and their caring mother, Tanis Tupper. Sam’s fourth birthday was January 5. As an only child, and with Bill having but one sibling, Shirley, Georgie maintained a close relationship with her niece Karen and nephews Peter, Michael and Mark Hatcher. Family was an important consideration in guiding her life.

Coming from rural roots in Nova Scotia she was no stranger to the hard work associated with a small farm in Eastern Ontario. In their nearly 60 years on Thunderwood Farm in Kars, the pride in maintaining their heritage stone house and building a reputable Hereford herd were hallmarks of Georgie’s energy.

Georgie embraced the communities she lived in participating as a volunteer and leader in many organizations. Georgie was co-chair of the Kars Sesquicentennial Anniversary (1971) and supported the Kars Recreation Association until amalgamation, serving as President and in other volunteer roles. Another early community accomplishment was her role as Vice Chair of the organizing committee for the International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show held outside Richmond in 1983. She served on the board of directors for the Ottawa-Carleton Plowmen’s Association until 2016.

Early in her residence in Kars, Georgie developed an appetite for genealogical and local history research with the encouragement and support of her dear friend and neighbour Coral Lindsay (2014). This curiosity led to her being a founding (1974) and life member of the Rideau Township Historical Society. She is the lead author, and co-author of a number of local history publications. Her commitment to local history preservation led to a guiding role in the Rideau Township Archives.

A summary of Georgie’s life would be incomplete without reference to her role in supporting Bill in his academic life as a Professor at Carleton University and in public life as a township councillor, first Mayor of Rideau Township and as a Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton. The role of the spouse is no less onerous than that of the representative, and the rewards more modest.

After Bill’s retirement, they enjoyed almost 25 years in their winter residence in Fort Meyers Beach, Florida making livelong friends.

In recognition of Georgie’s participation in her community she has been awarded, among other honours, the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation, (1992) in recognition of volunteer community service, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) for outstanding citizenship, the City of Ottawa Distinguished Civic Appreciation Award for Heritage (2006), The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award (2012) for outstanding citizenship, and the Sovereigns' Medal for Volunteers, (2018) awarded by the Governor General of Canada.

Friends are invited to visit the Kars Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 1610 Roger Stevens Drive, Kars on Friday, January 9th from 2 to 5 pm or Saturday, January 10th from 10 am until the Celebration of Life Ceremony at 11 am followed by a light lunch. Inurnment will occur in the spring. Those wishing to make donations are encouraged to contribute to either the William Tupper Bursary in Earth Sciences at Carleton University (https://futurefunder.carleton.ca/donate/?fund_id=3482) or the Rideau Township Historical Society by e-transfer to rideautwphistory@gmail.com. Alternatively, cheques can be mailed to Carleton University, Department of University Advancement, 1125 Colonel by Drive, Ottawa, K1S 9Z9 or Rideau Township Historical Society, Box 56, North Gower, K0A 2T0.