The whole gang, a photo by Halyma on Flickr.

In early September, I had the pleasure of being part of this group of ladies, dancing at a wedding.

It was an amazing event { thanks Eurika for inviting me} not only having the chance to dance with live musicians, but also working one more time with Rosemary/ Zahra.

For many years, when I first began dancing, I really only knew her in passing. I first danced in her husband’s restaurant at OMEDA events, [ Sam’s Falafel and Tabouleh Garden, on Rideau Street; Ottawa/Outaouais Middle Eastern Dance Association].
She was this quiet woman who had such a history, but I would only be in a position to access it on occasion, and more so after her husband passed.
I kept running into her, working with her on occasion over the remaining years, and would keep in a larger loop of concern and information as her own life took so many turns.
I just wanted to send her a thank you for the many years of energy she put into education, community spirit and the blazing touch she left on so many people.

I will add updates here when I receive them, and feel welcome to add your own comments below which I will pass along to her children, or go to her Facebook page and add your sentiments to her wall.

At the October 14th Ottawa Dancer’s Bazaar, there will be a table set up in memory of her, and information about a future event in the works by Randi Cherry and friends, please stop by if you are attending.

UPDATE -thanks Julia –

“Rosemary Corfield 
June 8, 1948 – October 7, 2012

Rosemary danced into the light to the beat of her own drum at the age of 64. Loving mother of Nicholas and Virginia, beloved cousin of Irene Wanless, and John and Jim Lang. Predeceased by her husband, Samir Haddad and parents, Norman and Virginia. Rosemary was born and raised in British Columbia. She will be deeply missed by her many dear friends and family and by all those whose lives she touched with her joy and love. Rosemary lived her life to the fullest and in the face of the increasing limitations of her illness, adapted and continued to live every day with resilience, courage and passion. She loved planning and hosting gatherings – including her own celebration of life just a few weeks ago. She was a dancer, a musician, an artist, a lover of languages, entrepreneur, a friend and, above all, a devoted mother. Rosemary was an inspirational figure in many groups, including the Ottawa Middle Eastern Dance Association, the Ukulele Ladies, the Belly dance and Arabic drumming communities, the Just for Women group. Everything she did, she did with her all. 

Her unbreakable spirit and love of life will live on in the hearts and lives of all who loved her. She leaves us with these words from Osho: “To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.”

Many thanks to all our family and friends, and especially cousin, Irene, dear friend, Noralee Goodwin and the staff and volunteers of the Hospice at May Court for their loving care during the past few months.

A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of Capital Memorial Gardens, 3700 Prince of Wales Drive Nepean, ON K2C 3H1 on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 1:00PM.

Internment and reception to follow at Capital Memorial Gardens.

In memoriam donations can be made to the Hospice at May Court, 114 Cameron Avenue Ottawa, ON.”

 You can go to her online guestbook here:

Ottawa Citizen Obituary