Lois Miriam Wilson ( Freeman; April 8, 1927 – September 13, 2024) was a minister of the United Church of Canada who served as the first female Moderator of the United Church (1980–1982), the first woman president of the Canadian Council of Churches (1976–1979), and the first woman president of the World Council of Churches (1983–1991). Wilson also served in the Canadian Senate for four years (1998–2002).
Early life and education
Lois Miriam Freeman was born in Winnipeg in 1927, Lois was born into the United Church of Canada — her father had been a Presbyterian minister, but had become a minister of the newly formed United Church when Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists had amalgamated two years before Lois's birth. Her father would go on to became a professor and dean of theology at United College, Winnipeg.
In 1998 Wilson was appointed to the Senate of Canada upon the recommendation of then prime minister Jean Chrétien, and as a panel member of Environmental Assessment of the Disposal of Nuclear Waste (1989–1997).
She also served as Ecumenist in Residence at the Toronto School of Theology, a Fellow of Massey College, International Co-President of the World Federalist Movement.
Personal life and death
Roy and Lois Wilson, married in 1950, had four children, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A close friend of novelist Margaret Laurence, Wilson participated in several public forums with Laurence and presided at Laurence's 1986 funeral.
Wilson died at a hospital in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on September 13, 2024, at the age of 97.
Awards
Wilson received 14 honorary degrees for her work in human rights, ecumenism, and social justice, including one from the United States.