Patron of the arts, quiet philanthropist

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This article was published 28/06/2023 (868 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

To her family, Kathleen Richardson is remembered as a moral compass and compassionate storyteller. To the Winnipeg arts community, she is recognized as an indelible patron and lifelong supporter.

On Tuesday, Richardson, who died at the age of 91 in 2019, was artistically immortalized in the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board’s Citizens Hall of Fame.

Members of the board, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet administration, the Richardson family and guests gathered at the Assiniboine Park Pavilion for Richardson’s induction into the Citizens Hall of Fame.

Credited with nominating Richardson, André Lewis, the artistic director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, did the honours, carefully lifting a white tablecloth to reveal a bronze bust of the late philanthropist, which was sculpted by artist Madeleine Vrignon.

Richardson dedicated her life to assisting others. While her tenure as president of the RWB from 1957 to 1961 only lasted 4 years, she continued to serve as an honorary president for the rest of her life.

“Her passing in September 2019 deeply resonated within our walls, the Winnipeg arts community, and well beyond,” Lewis said.

Every year, the real estate board sifts through dozens of nominations for annual inductees into the hall of fame. Several former inductees were present, including Dr. Naranjan Dhalla, who was inducted in 2000 for his world-class contributions to cardiovascular research.

Choosing to honour Richardson was a no-brainer for Cliff King, chair of the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board.

“She was, I think, a fairly easy selection for the committee to make,” King said. “We were looking for somebody who’s had a real significant effect on Winnipeg.”

Richardson’s quiet philanthropy kept the financial wheels turning at the RWB. She was never on the sidelines. Instead, she chose to play an active role, mingling with dancers, staff and visitors.

“In the ’70s, she was often seen selling tickets to fundraising events,” Lewis said. “That’s the first time I met her. I was walking back from the school event we were doing, and there she was. I could not believe how committed she was.”

The honour was one of many Richardson received. In 1973, she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Companion in 1994. In 2005, she was inducted into the Order of Manitoba and won the prestigious RCA Medal in 2007.

When Dan Hursh, Richardson’s grand-nephew, took to the podium, he shared words from her celebration of life.

“Simply put, my great-aunt Kathleen was one of the most remarkable humans I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” Hursh said. “Throughout her life, she was someone who much preferred to see others benefit from her privilege than herself.”

Richardson, whose work through the Kathleen M. Richardson Foundation supported Winnipeg’s foremost artistic institutions, lived by the proverb, “unto whom much is given, much is required,” Lewis said. Despite her substantial contributions, she never flaunted her wealth or expected accolades.

“When Kathleen passed away in 2019, it wasn’t uncommon to hear comments along the lines of ‘there may never be another like her,’” Hursh said. “While that is a very nice sentiment, I hope for all of our sakes, there will be many to come.”

Richardson is the 49th inductee of the hall of fame, which was founded in 1986.

cierra.bettens@freepress.mb.ca