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Helen Spratt dies at 94 A music teacher and choir director in Whitby for many years, Helen Maijorie Spratt died at the Itby General Hospital on Sunday, Dec. 16, 1990. She was a resident of Fairview Lodge, Whitby. A daughter of the late James B. MacLaren anid Celia Ferris, she was bomn at Ingersoil, Ont, on Aug. 8, 1896. Mrs. S ratt and ber husband, the late Peter N. Spratt, camne to Whiùtby in 1929 and in Oct. 1930, she became organist and choir director Of st. Andrew's Piesbyterian Church. The appointment was made officiai in January 1931 and she remained in charge of the church's music until she retired in 1966. She was organist and choir director for the Presbyterian Church at Pickering for 20 years when the two churches were under one charge. She was part-tinie organist and choirmaster at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catbolic Church in the fifties and sixties. In 1933 and 1934 the St. Andrew's Church Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Spratt, won honours at the Stratford Music Festival, winning first prize for cburcb choirs and the David Smith Challenge Shield in 1934. Mrs. Spratt organized and directed cantatas at St. Andrew's Churcb, and arranged the music WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECMBER 26, 1990, PAGE 5 for the church's annual St. Andrew>s and Robert Burns nights. During the 1940s and 19509, Mrs. Spratt directed many concerts in Whitby and was director of the Treble Clef Choir. In 1955 Mrs. Spratt directed a combined mass choir which took part in Whitby's Centennial Celebrations, marking 100 years as an incorporated town. Mrs. Spratt was a top soprano soloist. A music teacher for more than 35 years, Mrs. Spratt taught bundreds of children and Young adults in Whitby. Mrs. Spratt is survived by son John and bis wife Ruth cf Whitby, daugbter Janet iind her busband William Kinsma-n of Oshawa, grandchildren Peter, Jane, John, Mary Helen Cath- erine, Margo, David anâ eigbt great-grandchildren. She i's also survived by two sisters, Jean MacGillivray and Margaret Beaton. Her husband, Peter N. Spratt, died in 1946, and two brothiers, James and Gordon Macaren, also died before ber. Mrs. Sprati, was at the W.C. Town Funeral Chapel, Whitby. Rev. Father Bob O'Brien conducted the Mass of Cbristian Buriai at St. John the Evangelist Church, Whitby, on Dec. 19, 1990, followed by interment in St. John- the Evangelist Cemetery. 1934 PHOTO shows choir director Helen Spratt holding provincial award won by St. Andrew's Church Choir. Whltby Archive photo Ce yuaCritas photos - l ope oday Cet2 etsofpritsin aur WHITB CAMEA e 73-279 *Exclusive of NutrilSystemn food & intiai evaluation wtiich aie addltional costs. Participaing centres only. Expires Jan. 1191. 1 nutri/systexh"i