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Following the Great Depression and the Second World War, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank were established (at Bretton Woods) to stabilize and encourage economic growth. With the addition of trade agreements and now the World Trade Organization, the three economic institutions aim for a prosperous, just and sustainable world economy that obviously depends upon a healthy global environment. However recent disjoint responses to the climate emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for fundamental reform of these economic institutions.

Wednesday, November 16th
7:00 - 8:30 pm Eastern Time

We Remember and Thank May Kersten

November 4, 1932 – August 29, 2021

May Kersten, a long-time member and supporter of WFM-C, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2021 at the age of 88.

May had a strong and independent spirit forged by the challenges of the Second World War. She had powerful memories of the Canadian soldiers who liberated Holland when she was a girl, and perhaps that is when the first kernels of commitments to global democracy, peace and the rule of law took root in her spirit.

In keeping with these beliefs, May made a very generous bequest to the World Federalist Movement – Canada, a donation that will enable our movement to continue its work on our platforms pertaining to global governance, peace building, and the rule of law. The members of the WFM-C Board of Directors hereby take this opportunity to express to May’s family our profound thanks and appreciation.

As a member of the WFM-C’s Montreal branch, May participated actively in events and contributed regularly to branch and national fund-raising campaigns. She cared deeply about social justice and, to that end, also contributed to causes at the Unitarian Church of Montreal, her spiritual community, including taking responsibility for a year’s rent for one of two families sponsored by the Church’s Syrian Refugee Programme in 2016 – 2017.

May was born in Holland, the second youngest of ten children, and immigrated to Montreal in 1965 where she became a successful financial advisor. Among May’s many interests were her love of the outdoors, tennis, photography, and travel. She loved reading about mythology and Indigenous cultures, which fueled her passion for traveling and was fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world. In 2018, May suffered a debilitating stroke that severely curtailed her freedom. She spent her last years receiving gentle and loving care at the Sunrise nursing home in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

May is survived by sisters, Yvonne and Anne Marie, and a brother, Ferdinand. She also leaves behind her nephew, Robert, and his wife, Anita, who provided loving and attentive care from the U.S. due to Covid restrictions during that time.

We extend our sincere condolences to May’s family in their time of sorrow. May lived her life according to her values and demonstrated her deep conviction of making a difference in the world. She did so with aplomb.
 

Patricia Philip
Montreal branch