Astrid  Elena Weyman

November 21, 1936 - July 29, 2016

 

It is with great sadness that the family of Astrid Weyman announces her passing on July 29, 2016. Astrid died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by loved ones at her home in Durham, Ontario.

Astrid was born in Toronto on November 21, 1936, to Kathleen (Dawe) and Rex Weyman. She studied at St. Mildred's College and then at Trinity College at the University of Toronto, graduating there in 1959 with an Honours B.A. in Fine Art. She was awarded an Italian Government scholarship to pursue her studies in theatre and film, first at L'Accademia Delle Belle Arti in Florence and then at Il Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome in the early 1960s. She then settled in Amsterdam with Dutch film director Frans Weisz, and became part of the burgeoning Dutch film and theatre community as an editor, costume designer and actress, most famously as the glamorous "Asta Weyne" in "The Gangstergirl" (Het Gangstermeisje).

But Astrid was more dedicated to her role as a loving mother to her young son Pief (and his many friends), and gradually left the film world to pursue her other interests including poetry and her first love, painting. In the mid-1980s Astrid returned to Canada, first to Cobourg, Ontario and then to the village of Eugenia in the Beaver Valley where her house "Guffo Buffo" became a centre of artistic activity, bringing people together through her painting classes, music and poetry soirees, and lively dinner parties with her wonderful cooking. She also wrote for the local newspaper in the tradition of her father Rex. Astrid dedicated much of her time in Eugenia and then Durham to the creation of her final work "A Calligraphy of Feeling", a book based on her deep personal reflections of life over the years, illustrated by her own drawings.

Astrid was loved for her playfulness, sense of humour and accepting warmth. She will be greatly missed by her son Pief Weyman and his partner Vanessa, Pief's father Frans, her grandson Sascha and his mother May and family. She will also be dearly missed by her cousins Cindy, Jenny, Tiki, Bay, and James, and their partners Richard, Judy, Annie and Heather, and by their many children, and by her sister-in-law Heather and children. She was pre-deceased by her brother Nick, cousins Wendy and Ian, loving uncles Ronny, Bob and Fred, and aunts Rita, Vanna and Buddy, and by Jenny's husband Bob.

With many thanks to all the caregivers who helped Astrid over the years, especially those at Rockwood Terrace in Durham where she spent her final days. With special thanks to Charmaine for her endless support and love.

Cremation has occurred and a celebration of Astrid’s life and spirit will be held in the fall. In memory of Astrid, donations to Rockwood Terrace Nursing Home in Durham would be appreciated.

 

Go in peace dear Astrid..