We warmly remember the life and legacy of Mrs. Landon Pearson who passed away in January at the age of 92.
Landon, together with her family, is remembered as a champion of the United World College movement and of Pearson College UWC since even before we welcomed our first cohort of students in 1974. Together with her late husband, Geoffrey, son of our namesake Lester B. Pearson, Landon was a strong supporter of student scholarships at Pearson that made it possible for more young leaders and achievers to access a UWC education.
Many on campus have memories of Landon’s participation in College events in Ottawa and visits to campus, most recently in 2018 when, together with daughter Anne, a College Board Director at the time, she met students in our library’s Pearson Room and sat in on several classes.
Landon will also be remembered by Canadians across the country for her community-minded leadership and advocacy for children’s rights. Her passionate service in support of young people truly inspired generations of scholars, educators, and other citizens to follow in her footsteps. During her 11 years serving in the Senate of Canada, she was known as the “Children’s Senator” and was later appointed to the Order of Canada for her extraordinary contributions which changed the way in which children’s rights are understood and affirmed in this country.
On behalf of the entire Pearson College UWC campus and worldwide community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Landon’s surviving children, Anne, Michael, Hilary and Patricia, and to other members of her extended family as well as her many friends and colleagues.