Tannis Richardson (JAMES RICHARDSON & SONS, LIMITED
Tannis Richardson, a towering figure in Winnipeg’s philanthropic community and Order of Canada member, has passed away at the age of 99.
Richardson dedicated decades of her life to volunteer and charitable leadership, with a particular focus on juvenile diabetes research after her eldest daughter was diagnosed with the disease. She served in multiple national leadership roles with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and founded the fundraiser A Starry Starry Night in 1988.
Born in Winnipeg on July 14, 1926, Richardson was the daughter of noted physician Dr. Paul H. T. Thorlakson. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science degree and married George Richardson in 1948. The couple had four children, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Her contributions extended across health, arts, and community causes. She served on boards including the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Balmoral Hall School, and St. John’s Ravenscourt School, among many others.
Richardson was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2003. She also received the Health Sciences Centre Foundation’s Laureate of Excellence Award, the JDRF International One Step Closer Award, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Manitoba) Outstanding Philanthropist Award in 2018, and the Gail Asper Award from Manitoba Opera in 2020.
“Tannis was gracious, caring, and deeply committed to this city. Winnipeg is a better place because of her, and her loss will be felt by many across our community,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a statement.
“Her story of care and compassion for others began very early, with visits to children in hospital when she herself was still a child. And she simply never stopped, spending her whole life in the service of health, education, the arts, and a better community for all of us.”
