Carolyn Walters

WALTERS Carolyn Louise (Blythe) August 19, 1945 - February 22, 2009

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Carolyn - a life-long entertainer and delightful "free spirit" who refused to let her 13 year battle with cancer take away her love of life or her quirky sense of humour. Born Carolyn Louise Blythe (Montreal) she was billed as "Canada's youngest ventriloquist" by the age of 11 and became well-loved as the child-host of the 1962 - 1965 CBC television show "Sandy and Company". She made numerous guest appearances on television and radio, including the Juliette Show, Talent Caravan, CBC's Doubletalk, and Montreal Matinee. She later co-hosted (with Peggy Austin) TV's Cartoon Corner and at 19 was a regular on CBC's "Time of Your Life" as well as writing for CTV's Hi Diddle Day children's show (Ottawa).

As a young adult she was briefly married and had a son - Christopher Jonathon Walters. She became a puppeteer with the Waterville Gang, a weekly television show that aired in the early 1970s by CTV Toronto. In 1973 she founded the Wobble, Lump and Squeak Theatre, a children's rod-puppet theatre company based in Toronto from 1973 - 1975. Some of her puppets and activities from that time are found as part of the Canadian Museum of Civilization's archive on Canadian puppetry.

She then turned her talents to film and worked on a number of film and entertainment projects. By 1991 Carolyn was with the Nelvana Animation Company where, among numerous projects, she was the Production Manger for the Steven Spielberg/Tim Burton co-production "The Family Dog" released in 1993.

In 1995, at the age of 50, Carolyn was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given 18 months to live. Outliving all predictions, Carolyn spent the next 13 years living with and battling cancer while never losing her sense of fun and wonder at the world. While she could no longer work, she channeled her determination and creativity on other projects, as her health allowed. While living on the west coast she made the short film, "The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree" with her partner Ina Dennekamp, which had its premier screening at the Vancouver "Out on Screen" gay and lesbian film festival. The film also screened at the Toronto and Ottawa gay and lesbian film festivals. She also took up ocean kayaking and "extreme knitting".

In 2005, and true to form, Carolyn marked her decade of living with terminal cancer with a celebration she dubbed "10 years past expiration". Throughout her long stubborn battle with cancer Carolyn celebrated her life, always had a project "on the go" and taught those around her how much fun and delight can be had from life. Carolyn wanted to acknowledge, with deepest love and gratitude, her beloved partner Ina Elisabeth Dennekamp, and the amazing community of women who have loved and supported her throughout her life, and particularly during her 13 year battle with cancer. Sincere thanks must go to Dr. Karen Gelmon of the BC Cancer Institute for the wonderful care she gave Carolyn, and the "angels" who are the staff and volunteers at the St. James Cottage Hospice in Vancouver.

Carolyn is predeceased by her mother Marjorie Murielle Preston, and survived by her father Thomas William Blythe. She is also survived by siblings William (Billy) Thomas Blythe, Catherine Susan Sedlacek, Derrick Anthony Blythe, Drake Alderson Blythe and their families.

A celebration of Carolyn's life will be held Sunday, March 15, 3pm at Callanish Society, 2277 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. James Cottage Hospice, the Callanish Society or the BC Cancer Agency.

Cancer Film

Vancouver Courier: 2009 February 13

Documentary film director Pat Taylor hosts a screening of her film Chasing Rainbows: Young Adults Living With Cancer, a film she created on behalf of her daughter Sara Taylor Gibson, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar St. The event includes a post-film discussion with young adult cancer survivors Anna Peled and Vikram Bubber and B.C. Cancer Agency family counsellor Sarah Sample, as well as live music by singer-songwriter (and Chasing Rainbows co-producer) Michael Booth Palmer.

For information, visit www.chasingrainbowsproduction.com.