General News » Headline News » News

Well-known Tottenham piano teacher celebrates 100th birthday

May 14, 2021   ·   0 Comments

There are many piano students in the Tottenham area who look back fondly on their lessons with Edna May Donovan.

Also know by the last name of Barnett, from her second husband, Edna May celebrated her 100th birthday on May 5.

Originally from Wallaceburg, ON, Edna May arrived in Tottenham in 1971 with her husband Fred and they built a house on the 3rd Line.

Her life has revolved around music, having achieved a degree from the Royal Conservatory in Toronto as well as the A.W.C.M. in piano from the University of Western Ontario in London.

In addition to teaching piano, she is an accomplished vocalist with a beautiful soprano voice.

While in Tottenham, she became the organist and choir master at Christ Church Anglican.

Along the way, she taught thousands of students how to play the piano, and continued to teach into her 80s in a career that lasted over 60 years.

She performed with local groups, the Sweet Adelines and the Golden Bells, and took many trips with them to perform.

While living in Tottenham, Edna and her husband experienced a tragedy when their home was destroyed by a tornado. The 1985 storm leveled the house into a pile of rubble.

Edna has three children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

She moved into her daughter’s home in Uxbridge several years ago and still maintains contact with friends in the Tottenham area.

Upon learning of her centenary birthday, she received many well wishes from friends and former students who remember her dedication to music.

Edna also received personal congratulations from the Premier of Ontario, the Prime Minister, and the Queen.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Readers Comments (0)