Joanne Fitzgerald (1956-2011)

IBBY Canada is sad to report that Governor General’s Award-winning artist, Joanne Fitzgerald, passed away on August 14, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Montreal, Joanne knew from a very young age that she loved to draw. She attended Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Joanne illustrated many beloved Canadian children’s books including Plain Noodles, Emily’s House, The Blue Hippopotamus, and This Is Me and Where I Am. She won the Governor General’s Award for her work in Teddy Jame’s Doctor Kiss Says Yes.

Her family is asking that in lieu of flowers, friends of Joanne make a donation in her name to IBBY Canada by clicking here. Please be sure to note “In Memory of Joanne Fitzgerald” in the section marked Additional Comments.