Signy Stefansson Eaton

Signy Hildur Eaton (née Stefansson; July 1, 1913 – September 10, 1992) was a Canadian socialite, art collector and philanthropist. She was married to John David Eaton, of the Eaton family of Toronto.

Signy Eaton
Born
Signy Hildur Stefansson

(1913-07-01)July 1, 1913
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
DiedSeptember 10, 1992(1992-09-10) (aged 79)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Burial placeMount Pleasant Cemetery
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1933; died 1973)​
Children

Biography

Signy Hildur Stefansson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Icelandic immigrants Fridrik Stefansson and Anna Olson. Her father emigrated from Iceland in 1876 and settled in New Iceland, Manitoba. He was a publisher and part-owner of Lögberg, an Icelandic language newspaper. Her maternal grandfather was a member of the Alþingi.[1]

While studying art at the University of Manitoba and working as a receptionist at a dentist's office, she met John David Eaton, grandson of Timothy Eaton, founder of the eponymous T. Eaton Company Limited, who was working at the iconic store on Portage Avenue.[2] Her future mother-in-law, Lady Eaton, a noted society doyenne, organized a reception to introduce Signy to Toronto society at Ardwold, the family's Toronto home. In 1933, Lady Eaton presented her to King George V and Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace.[1][2]

Signy and John David were married on August 9, 1933, at Kawandag (now Rosseau Lake College), the Eaton family home on Lake Rosseau.[3][4][5][2] The Union Flag and Icelandic flag were flown, Icelandic songs were sung and the bride wore a "Viking headress".[1][3] Signy and John David had four sons; John Craig Eaton II (born 1937), Fredrik Stefan Eaton (1938–2021), Thor Edgar Eaton (1942–2017) and George Ross Eaton (born 1945).

As Mrs. John David Eaton, Signy was active in Toronto society. In 1937, the Eatons built a Bauhaus style residence designed by Alvan "Shy" Mathers and Eric Haldenby at 120 Dunvegan Road in the Toronto neighbourhood of Forest Hill.[1][6] The Toronto Telegram named her one of the best dressed women in Toronto. Signy filled their Forest Hill home with works by Pablo Picasso, Maurice Utrillo, Raoul Dufy, Thelma van Alstyne, Marc Chagall, Georges Rouault, Jean-Paul Riopelle and Roloff Beny.[1] In November 1967, their home was burgaled and $250,000 in art was stolen.[1] They had other homes in Muskoka, Caledon, Antigua and Palm Beach.[7] She was active in many philanthropic causes particularly the Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum and the Hospital for Sick Children.[2][8]

In 1959, in recognition of her philanthropy and interest in her ancestry, the Icelandic government named her a Knight of the Order of the Falcon, Iceland's only order of chivalry.[1][2][7] She was appointed to the board of governors of York University when it opened in 1961 and received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the university in 1971.[9][7]

Signy died of a stroke in Toronto on September 10, 1992, at the age of 79. Her funeral was held on September 15, 1992, at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church.[7] She was interred in the Eaton family mausoleum at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Her vast art collection was divided among her four sons and some pieces were sold at Sotheby's in 1994 and 1995.[1]

References
  1. McQueen, Rod (1999). The Eatons: The Rise and Fall of Canada's Royal Family (2 ed.). Toronto: Stoddart. ISBN 0773731202.
  2. Kopytek, Bruce Allen (2014). Eaton's: The Trans-Canada Store. Charleston: The History Press. ISBN 978-1625846952.
  3. Bertram, Laurie K. (2020). The Viking Immigrants: Icelandic North Americans. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-1442663015. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  4. Mathews, Kelly (2015). Eaton Hall: Pride of King Township. History Press Library Editions. p. 176. ISBN 978-1540213549.
  5. Bertram, Laurie K. (2004). "A Larger Frame: 'Redressing' the Image of Doukhobor-Canadian Women in the Twentieth Century". In Epp, Marlene; Iacovetta, Franca (eds.). Sisters or Strangers?: Immigrant, Ethnic, and Racialized Women in Canadian History (2 ed.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p. 286. ISBN 978-1442629134. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  6. "Heritage Property Detail". City of Toronto. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  7. "Signy Eaton". Palm Beach Daily News. September 22, 1992. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  8. "The Eaton Family". Royal Ontario Museum. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  9. "Digital Archive". Toronto Public Library. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
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