Bessie Borwein

Bessie Borwein passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at the age of 99. Born on March 17, 1927, in Johannesburg, South Africa, she was the only child of Jacob Flaks and Mary Sussman. Bessie studied Botany and Zoology at the University of the Witwatersrand before marrying David Borwein in 1946. Together they left South Africa in 1948, living first in London, England, then St Andrews, Scotland, before settling in London, Ontario, in the early 1960s. In her forties, Bessie earned her PhD in Anatomy from the University of Western Ontario, specialising in retinal photoreceptors. She went on to become Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Medicine at Western and Professor Emerita. A passionate advocate for properly regulated biomedical research, she founded Partners in Research, a national organisation dedicated to public science education. She was awarded the Royal Society of Canada's McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science and received honorary degrees recognising her contributions. Her community involvement was vast. She helped establish the Block Parent program in London, and devoted her time to Pollution Probe, the Alzheimer's Society, the Ontario Breast Screening Program, Madame Vanier Children's Services, and the Youth Science Foundation, among many others. Predeceased by her beloved husband David, who passed away in 2021, after seventy-five years of marriage, and by her sons Jonathan, who passed away in 2016, and Peter, who passed away in 2020. Lovingly remembered by her daughter Sarah, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. Cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be held at LOGAN-EVANS FUNERAL HOME, 371 Dundas Street, London, Ontario, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Interment of ashes in Restmount Temple Israel Cemetery, London, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer Society of Canada. Online condolences can be expressed at logan-evans.ca.