HarrietBotta

BOTTA, Harriet Lee Kruse —

After a long illness Professor Botta died in Sunnybrook Hospital June 23. Born in New York in 1935, Harriet was educated at Mount Holyoke College and the University of California Berkeley (Phd in mathematics, 1964).

She first inclined to languages and studied a year in France as a Fulbright scholar, but then decided that mathematics was her true vocation. She taught that subject in Michigan for a year, then at the University of Toronto and York University, Toronto (1971-1996). Married to a Canadian (Peter) she emigrated with him in 1964 and lived all the rest of her life in Canada.

She was much appreciated by her students as she was a patient and devoted teacher. After her retirement she continued to tutor privately. She loved witty repartee and would comment sardonically on human foibles, but she was a warm-hearted soul who could never hear of anyone in trouble without going to their aid. She had many grateful friends.

She looked back nostalgically to summers spent in her family’s summer home in Mattituck on Long Island, where she learned to swim, a passion that remained with her all her life. She could never bypass an opportunity to go for a swim, not even in waters infested with Portuguese men-of-war. She carried the long scars of that adventure for many years. She loved cooking and inviting people to dinner. Her house almost functioned as a hotel with frequent house guests from several parts of the world.

She loved travelling, especially to countries rich in history (not so much the Northern Ontario tundra by canoe).

She was plagued by ill health in later years but still carried on a lively social life, inviting guests to dine with her frequently in her retirement home. She loved cats, almost as much as people, and had a number of them, always insisting on “beautiful” breeds, such as Siamese and Burmese.

There will be a cremation, no funeral. Those wishing to commemorate her, may send donations in Harriet’s name to the Ontario SPCA, 16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR 3, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 4W1, tel. 1 (888) 668-7722, ext 321. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com