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With a profound sense of loss and sadness the family of Delphine White-Crane announce her passing on 27th November 2023 after a long battle with cancer. A devoted wife, sister, aunt, colleague and friend, Delphine had a larger-than-life impact on so many. She was loved for her sometimes zany humor, her creativity, her compassion, and curiosity. Delphine is survived by her loving wife, Jan Crane, sisters Sheila White and Andrea Kraler (Bruce), brother Stephen White (Bill Hamar) and sisters-in-law, Sue White (Danny d.) and Gina Crane as well as many nieces and nephews, each so dear to her.
Armed with a Political Science degree and a sewing machine, Delphine moved to Toronto in the early 1970s and surprised everyone (including herself) when she forged a career and a life in film industry; a career whose trajectory paralleled the birth, growth, and development of Canadian film. She was there at its very beginnings working as a costume designer, on independent and eventually studio films, television series and M.O.W.s. She made a long, rich, and rewarding life for herself. She counted working with directors David Cronenberg, Barry Levinson, Deepa Mehta, Guillermo del Toro, Gus Van Sant, Norman Jewison, and Terry Gilliam as career highlights in a profession that spanned almost 60 years.
She was courageous when she took a break from the industry in her early years so she could return to school and later spend a season working as a seamstress at the Stratford Festival to strengthen her skills: an acknowledgement that she still had things to learn. And she always applied this curiosity and this humble approach to both her work and her life.
Delphine did not choose an easy route. Instead, she created her best life and lived it to the full. Her talent and dedication were acknowledged many times by friends and colleagues in the industry, leading to her garnering several significant award nominations and recognitions including her recent, CAFTCAD Icon Lifetime Achievement Award.
Delphine has inspired her family and those close to her to live their best life – to embrace the crooked path forward, to learn through doing, and to remain both humble and true to themselves. What greater gift is there?
Aside from her work, Delphine was a generous and caring aunt who not only loved her nieces and nephews and their children but was their biggest fan and ardent supporter. She was (rightfully) so proud of them all, and generous in her admiration.
She was a mentor, offering career guidance for many young designers and practitioners through her teaching and her work within the union. She opened her studio, coordinating or leading workshops designed to deepen skills and appreciation for all aspects of costuming, reaching out to community volunteers and industry professionals.
Finally, Delphine was a big-hearted, loving soul who continued to inspire so many in so many ways. A truly unique personality, someone who is already deeply missed and will long be remembered.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Ed’s House who assisted Delphine with daily care during her stay.
Also, to Princess Margaret Hospital, Durham Regional Cancer Centre, Northumberland Hills Hospital and Dr. Francesco Mule’ and Dr. Kelly Parkes.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice, 1301 Ontario St, Cobourg, Ontario, K9A 5J4 or a charity of your choice
As one of Delphine’s many many mentees, I am entirely grateful she believed in me and taught me about the costume world. I will always remember her as a mentor who always trusted me but also encouraged me to be greater. I will forever be thankful for her guidance and the impact she made with myself and many others. Sending love to the family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
It was with a heavy heart I heard the sad news of Delpine's passing but it also bought back many happy memories of the time we lived together in Toronto. So grateful for those times never to be forgotten. Deepest condolences and much love to Delpine's family and friends.
Dear Jan ,Sheila, Andrea and Stephen, I am so saddened to read about Delphine. We met in grade 9 at Vincent Massy high school in Windsor, went to the University of Windsor together , worked at the travel information centre at the Ambassador Bridge together and lived together in Toronto as we both tried to figure out what we wanted to be when we grew up! Travelling together in Europe in the summer of ‘69 was one of the biggest and best adventures of my life. We had such fun! Although we had lost touch for some years, we had reconnected in recent years. It was like we had never missed a day! The world has lost a special person and a dear friend. My deepest condolences .
My sincerest condolences to you Jan. May you and your family be comforted at this difficult time. She was an absolute delight and she will live within our hearts always.
Our condolences to Jan and Delphine's family and her many friends. What a wonderful talented lady. She has truly lived a full life. May she rest in peace Irene and Isabel
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre
This is such a beautiful tribute to Delphine. I will always cherish my memories of working with Delphine and our friendship that followed. Her generosity helped mould my early years in the film industry. How I wish I could have seen her teach! Always so generous with her knowledge and seeing that bigger picture of helping mentor the next generation of talent. My heart goes out to you Jan, and all of Delphine's family. May her memory live on in your hearts forever, as it will live in mine.
My Condolences to Jan and Delphine’s Family. Delphine was Hugely responsible for guiding me in film during my early years,(Bait) forever grateful for her kindness and intuition. Delphine defines a Mentor. Thank you Delphine for, “Opening Doors”.
It has been a privilege to have known Delphine. May she be at peace and May her legacy continue to make a difference
Sending love to Delphine’s wide and wonderful community. She will be missed❤️
Dear Delphine, I feel so BLESSED to have had your friendship for so many years. I will hold close to my heart so many treasured memories. I send my love to you Jan & to all of Delphines family - she loved you all so deeply. Delphine you will be missed my dear friend. I say gawaabmin miinwaa, I will be seeing you again ❤
What a wonderful tribute to such a wonderful woman. Delphine was so supportive to so many throughout her career. I met her in the early days of ACFC and was so eager to take her wardrobe courses. She set many of us up to be future costume designers. That big beautiful smile, is so Delphine! My deepest condolences to you Jan and all of Delphine's family and friends. She sure will be remembered! “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emmerson
My deepest condolences to Delphine's family, friends, co-workers, team mates. She was an incredibly kind, sweet and generous woman, who will be greatly missed by so many. I had the good fortune to be one of her team mates, one of her paddling sisters. I have so many wonderful memories of her, too many to mention here. God bless you Delphine, until we meet again!
I met Delphine through the Northumberland Players. She was one of the kindest, most intelligent and interesting people I know. She willingly shared her knowledge of costuming, fashion eras and was a pleasure to work with. I learned so much from her. What a brave and remarkable life she led! Jan, take care!
Jan and family, I am so sorry for your loss. May Delphines’ soul be eternal.
My deepest condolences to all of Delphine’s family and friends. She was an incredible talent and gifted mentor to so many of us. It was always a joy to work with her.
Such a wonderfully written tribute. I was so fortunate to work on a number of film projects with Delphine over the years. A lovely, quirky, colourful woman, who put so much trust in my ability. She is definitely one of a kind and will be missed by so many in our community. My deepest condolences to all of Delphine family and friends. With love, Loreen Lightfoot
My deepest condolences to Delphine's family and friends. I will always remember her as a kind, funny, talented, and creative soul. May she rest in peace and love.
I am happy to have known Delphine and will always remember she got me a featured appearance near Sophia Loren. Paix à son âme. Repose en paix chère Delphine. André
We were fortunate enough to purchase Jan and Delphine's farm twenty-five years ago. Our sincere condolences to Jan and family, Virginia & Eric Ritchie
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Bridge Hospice
Jan and Family, Stephen, Sue, Sheila and Andrea and families: What to say. I thank Delphine for her support of Bob as the two of them battled cancer together discussing treatments and driving each other to appointments. She was a force that we should be proud of. Braving the demon full on and helping others with her loving touching motherly manner. She will be missed by all who knew her. My last contact with her will always be held tight in my heart next to Bob. Jan look after yourself please. I am here if you want to talk. Love Tom Cunningham ;;
Jan, and all Delphine’s family: I am so sorry for your loss. I first met Delphine in a dragon boat and then continued as I attempted to teach myself to sew. May your memories surround you as you say farewell to a woman who was ‘one of a kind’.
I am so sorry to say goodbye to Delphine. I worked with her on many community youth projects in northumberland county. She always brought incredibly fresh and interesting ideas to the table that truly impacted our community in rich and wonderful ways. She didn’t claim the limelight that was hers. I think because she was already looking for “what’s next?”. I’m glad you are finally not having to think about cancer anymore, Delphine, but we have lost a Titan.
May your many memories of a wonderful and funny woman soon eclipse the sadness. You are in our thoughts, Jan.
We laughed together, we played and taught each other with colour and design. In a few quiet moments we shared deep thoughts of our universe and beyond. Now, in missing you, I have those memories bringing a smile to my day. Bon Voyage my friend. My condolences to Jan and family for their great loss of a incredible woman. Blessings to you.
My deepest condolences to all those mourning the loss of Delphine, and especially to Jan, and her family. She made an impact on so many with her kindness and fearlessness. I always thought of her as so approachable and yet also so sturdy in her confidence. I will miss her tremendously, as I know all of you reading will as well. Sending all my love. May she rest in peace, knowing she was so so so loved.
We offer our deepest heartfelt sympathy to all those who loved Delphine, especially Jan.
My deepest condolences to you Jan and family. Delphine was such a kind, caring, generous and loving person. I will be forever grateful to her for all the kindness and care she gave to me and the truly authentic way she demonstrated how to lead from ones heart to give to others. She truly was there in so many ways for so many of us. I will continue to miss her always.
I had the pleasure of meeting Delphine while doing theatre with La Jeunesse Choirs. Her ideas were stellar and her dedication to her craft was inspiring. Teamwork and collaboration were always present. I am glad I got a glimpse of who Delphine White was. My condolences to all her family and friends.
Dear Jan and family. What a beautiful obituary. It is sad to hear of Delphine’s passing. What an incredible life Delphine lead. We were inspired by Delphine’s talent and creativity. She will be deeply missed. Our condolences to you Jan. Mary Lou and Lynn Marie
Good bye my dear friend of many decades.