Anne Lind 1943-2004.

When Anne Lind died suddenly a few weeks ago, anyone who knew her was stunned with disbelief. Then a deep sadness settled in over the reality that the life of such a generous, vibrant woman, who in many respects was finding a new stride, should be cut short so prematurely. Anne was a tireless volunteer and enthusiast for the visual arts. She was also a serious collector with a fine, intuitive eye, an informed sense of history and an open dedication to the work of the next generation. She began by following the dynamic London, Ontario, scene of the late 60s, as well as the formation of the Vancouver scene, acquiring works by artists such as Greg Curnoe and Ian Baxter's N.E. Thing Co. at that time. And she continued to follow today's art, recently adding works by Robert Fones, Damian Moppett and Jin-Me Yoon to her collection.

Described by the Globe and Mail's Sarah Milroy as "self-deprecating, funny, loyal, compassionate.. ," Anne was a trustee of the Canadian Art Foundation, a docent and member of the Curator's Circle Committee at the AGO, and an active member of Toronto's Friends of the Visual Arts. Many of us will remember Anne's annual Christmas party as the personifying mark of her generosity and hospitality. The tree was always impossibly large, soaring through the spiral staircase to the second floor, festooned with decorations no doubt meaningfully amassed over the years. Every fireplace was ablaze, every room full of friends, associates, artists and always, lots of beautiful young people who seemed to know the house well. Everyone, from many communities, looked forward to the event.

Last May, Anne came with a group I led to visit the Donald Judd and Chinati Foundations in Marfa, Texas. It was a trek involving two plane trips and a four-hour drive across the desert with a lunch stop in a cafe that seemed to have survived from some film set. Anne was in her element: A road trip with friends dedicated to art. On our last night as we wandered into the dusty local bar after deliberating about whether it would be more interesting to go to the drive-by beer counter or to follow the Country and Western tones inside. Before entering, Anne tucked a costume jewelry necklace into her T-shirt in a gesture of modesty. Spotting a protruding bobble as we were about to leave, the lady bartender reached over and removed the rest for full view, purring "wah that's a mighty perty necklace." Bashful but leaping at the opening, Anne jumped into conversation as if she'd met a long-lost friend, eventually joining us outside for the walk home under a desert sky.

Anne leaves her two children, Jed and Sarah, and their father Phil Lind.