Today her work still graces the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, the National Gallery of Canada and the altar of St. John’s Anglican Church in Ancaster, to name just a few. Mrs. Holbrook died on Feb. 23 at age 95.

Widely regarded as one of Canada’s best known sculptors, Mrs. Holbrook was named to the Order of Canada in 1995. In 1987 she was named Hamilton’s Woman of the Year in the Arts by the Status of Women Committee. She was inducted into Hamilton’s Hall of Distinction in 1994.

An artist since age 16, Mrs. Holbrook lived most of her life in the Ancaster area, settling on Mineral Springs Road with her husband, John, a local dentist. Later in life, after her husband’s death, Mrs. Holbrook lived in a downtown Hamilton retirement home.

Mrs. Holbrook enrolled at the old Hamilton Art School and focused exclusively on sculpting after studying at Toronto’s Ontario College of Art in 1935. She later enrolled at the Royal College of Art in London. Over the years, Mrs. Holbrook has created dozens of sculptures and busts, including a likeness of Sir Allan MacNab for Dundurn Castle. A bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth was once displayed at Dundas’ Carnegie Gallery. A 1989 exhibit at McMaster University featured 125 of her works.

In 1964, Mrs. Holbrook began teaching sculpture at the Dundas Valley School of Art. Mrs. Holbrook and her husband were also involved with the Ancaster Township Historical Society and Fieldcote Museum. The couple bred New Forest ponies and is credited with bringing the species to North America.

Long time friend Art Bowes recalled seeing Mrs. Holbrook at a birthday party later in her life.

“I couldn’t believe she was still working on sculptures in her late eighties and early nineties,” Mr. Bowes said.

At age 83, Mrs. Holbrook personally presented a bronze statue of playwright George Bernard Shaw to the Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. At 87 in 2001, she profiled media baron Conrad Black and his wife, Barbara Amiel, in happier times.

According to the Sculptors Society of Canada Web site, Mrs. Holbrook is best known for her fine bronze busts, figures and medallic portraits.

Mrs. Holbrook is survived by her son, Dr. David Holbrook, his wife Lauretta, three grandchildren, Christopher, Susan (Stuart Emery) in England, and Andrew, her daughter, Jane and her lifelong friend Sheila MacLeod, her brother Jack (Brick) Bradford and his wife, Mary of Vancouver.

A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, March 7 at 11 a. m. at St. John's Anglican Church, 272 Wilson St. E., Ancaster.