It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Shirley Cahn passed away on February 4th 2009 in her 80th year (with her daughter Lisa by her side). She was a longtime CAMMAC member, at one time serving on the board of directors. Shirley was also one of the initiators and founders of Early Music Week – based on her experience at the Amherst Festival. In the first couple of years, it was she who suggested teachers, organized the pre-registration and made sure that Early Music had a place to flourish at CAMMAC.

Shirley played viola da gamba and recorder regularly with friends, with the Montreal Recorder Society (of which she was a long-time member) and took part in many workshops both here and in the U.S. Her passion for music was contagious and her knowledge of the history of music of the era was inspiring.

There was rarely an Early Music concert that Shirley did not attend. Frequently found in the front row, she basked in the music; it was truly a source of joy for her. She will be greatly missed.