News reports on Friday, July 7 have confirmed that Ward 28 Councillor Pam McConnell has died, following hospitalization for a lung ailment. McConnell, 71, had served as a ward councillor since 1994 in an area that included Cabbagetown and had been appointed Deputy Mayor in this past council term by Mayor John Tory. The CRA extends our condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

“Pam was a strong supporter of the association, celebrating in the community and working with us to make improvement in our neighbourhood,” says CRA President Phil Frei. “We appreciate the time she spent to understand and respond to the needs of our community.  She was thoughtful, caring, and forward-looking.”

According to a City of Toronto news release, flags at City Hall, Metro Hall, and the Toronto civic centres will be lowered to half-mast in Deputy Mayor McConnell’s honour. They will remain lowered until the end of the day of her funeral, arrangements still to be confirmed. Books of condolence will be available at Toronto City Hall beginning Saturday, July 8 for staff and members of the public to express their condolences. An online book of condolence will also be available at http://cityoftorontocondolences.ca beginning Saturday, July 8.

UPDATE July 12, 2017:

A Celebration of Life will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 25 at Cathedral Church of St. James, 65 Church St. In the interim, Deputy Mayor McConnell’s family encourages everyone to commemorate her in a way that is meaningful to them.

Also, at the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following organizations:

Collective of Black Artists (http://www.cobainc.com)
Donations should be made by cheque and mailed to:
COBA Collective of Black Artists
Daniels Spectrum
585 Dundas St. E., suite 130
Toronto, ON M5A 2B7

Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services (https://dixonhall.org)
Online donations can be made at http://dixonhall.org/donate

Riverdale Housing Animation Programs (http://www.rhag.ca)
Online donations can be made at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/riverdale-housing-animation-programs/

Flags at City Hall, Metro Hall and the Toronto civic centres will remain at half-mast until the end of the day on Sunday, July 16.  The book of condolence at City Hall will also be available until end of day Sunday. The online book of condolence will be available at http://cityoftorontocondolences.ca until the service in August.

Toronto Star report

CBC News report

CP24 report

Toronto Sun tribute article

Toronto Star tribute column (Edward Keenan)