Miss Spurgin

Story appeared in the 2013 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.

BY LEANNE SCHULTZ, OPERATIONS & HR MANAGER

Miss Sybil Phoebe Spurgin passed away on April 4, 2013, and Queen Margaret’s School lost a living legend.

After immigrating to Duncan, BC, in 1963, Miss Spurgin took a teaching position as the kindergarten and Grade 1 teacher at QMS, and after her first year at the school, became the head of the Junior School and Deputy Headmistress. As the trusted confidant of Miss Margaret Glide, the two ladies continued the legacy handed to them by the founders, Miss Denny and Miss Geoghegan.

Miss Spurgin did not have the flamboyant personality of Miss Glide, nor did she have the awe-inspiring presence attributed to both Miss Denny and Miss Geoghegan. What she did have was a steadfast calm presence that, in Miss Glide’s words, made her the person always to call upon in an emergency. If it needed doing, Miss Spurgin could be counted on to roll up her sleeves and get it done. Miss Glide’s legacy was building the campus; Miss Spurgin’s legacy was to be the mortar that held the bricks together.

On her first day of work, Miss Spurgin arrived at the school to find a chaotic scene. One of the buildings had flooded and all hands were on deck, mopping up water, moving furniture, and trying to clean up the mess. When Miss Glide finally looked up from her task to ask if the new teacher had ar-rived, someone pointed to a well dressed person with her long skirt rolled up to her knees, mop in hand, helping with the cleanup. Her career at QMS had begun! Before the students arrived back at school, Miss Spurgin had painted the Common Room in residence, moved beds around, and made curtains for the cubicles.

Her legacy was not only behind the scenes — under her guidance, the school became an educational force to be reckoned with. The foundations she helped lay for the curricular offerings at QMS and the opportunities she helped her students pursue have led to the school’s outstanding reputation for academic excellence today.

Miss Spurgin’s dedication to “Servite Fortiter” did not end with her career at QMS. After she retired and moved to Thetis Island, she joined the Cowichan District Hospital Auxiliary and was often seen delivering tea and comforts (mostly scones and straw-berry jam) to the patients at both the hospital and Cairnsmore Place, many of whom were younger than she was.

“In Miss Spurgin’s honour, the school is undertaking the restoration of the chapel’s stained glass windows. Anyone interested in donating to the QMS Chapel Restoration Fund in Miss Spurgin’s name is encouraged to connect with Mrs. Tracy Arden, Director of Development at tarden@qms.bc.ca or to call 250.746.4185.”