Obituary

Dr. Beverley Noel Salmon, CM, OOnt., December 25, 1930 - July 6, 2023

Known in the community as a trailblazer, activist and community leader, Beverley Salmon passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2023 at age 92.

To her family, extended family, and a multitude of friends, Bev was known as a loving, kind, graceful, warm, compassionate, and intelligent woman. She was generous with her time and genuinely interested in helping others.

She led a life of service and was an advocate for the marginalized and disenfranchised. Bev worked tirelessly and courageously as a champion of fair and equitable treatment for all regardless of their race, gender identity, sexual expression, ability or ethnicity. Bev was a social justice warrior.

Her career began as a nurse graduating from Wellesley Hospital class of 1953 with the distinction of Most Outstanding Nurse. While she had not practiced for many years, Bev has “mothered” and “nursed” countless people facing difficulties and personal problems over the years. Beverley was not only known for leading with a sympathetic ear, but would not hesitate to step in as a point person to help people resolve issues and move forward.

She broke ground becoming Toronto’s first black municipal councilor serving as an elected official for 12 years. She was a mentor, advisor and key contributor on many Council committees, and organizations including the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Beverley is survived by her children Warren Salmon, Heather Regal Salmon (and Donald Regalmuto), Leslie Salmon Jones (and Jeffrey W. Jones), and her grandchildren Caitlyn Salmon, Shakarri Salmon, Tyler Boffa Salmon, Jordan Boffa Salmon, Sierra Salmon, her sister Marjorie Sorrell, sister in law Kaaren Bell (wife of David) and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her late husband Dr. John Douglas Salmon, eldest son Dr. John Douglas Salmon Jr. and siblings Herbert Bell, Dr. David V.J. Bell, and Rena Jones.

Bev has received numerous awards including the Order of Canada, Order of Ontario, Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Ryerson University, Harry Jerome President’s Award, African Canadian Achievement Award, Bicentennial Award (ON), Queen Elizabeth 11 Diamond Jubilee Medal, Onyx Lions Club Award, Canadian Black Achievement Award for Politics, Canadian Centre for Police-Race Relations Award of Excellence and the Daniel G. Hill Award.

A parkette was dedicated in Bev's name in her neighborhood as a tribute to her contributions municipally when she retired from Council.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dr. John Douglas Graham Salmon Award for Black Medical Students, University of Toronto in Beverley's memory. Please see the link to the charity under the Donations tab at the top of this page.

The funeral service will be livestreamed on Thursday, July 20 at 11 am. Copy and paste the following link to the livestream or click on the livestream button below.

https://youtube.com/live/nwYBbxYJYag?feature=share

CLICK THE LIVESTREAM BUTTON BELOW