They were done just four years before his death,” said Van Dusen. The sketches, he believes, provide a rare and poignant glimpse of a fiery orator and eloquent Parliamentarian. Mark Van Dusen believes many Canadians will also want to make the trip to Russell to view the Van Dusen-Diefenbaker collection. “We have kids, grandkids and great grandkids living in Russell, so they can go in and see this when they want,” she said. “It’s a beautiful little museum and this is the right place for everything,” said Shirley. The family made profound contributions to the tapestry of life in the community. Russell became Tom and Shirley Van Dusen’s second hometown. “But because they survived, we’re able to show them off here,” he said.
“It’s a miracle the sketches survived,” said museum curator, Harry Baker. They are on display at the Russell Historical Society’s Keith M. The family’s collection, along with Shirley’s “forgotten sketches” will have a new home in Russell. “And Tom wore that tux a lot,” Shirley laughed. Shirley even has a tuxedo, once worn by Diefenbaker, which the former PM gave to her late husband, Tom. There are autographed photographs, signed books, and engraved silver trays. Over the years, the Van Dusen family collected several items gifted to them by the Diefenbakers. They were kind, down to earth, very nice people,” said Shirley. “The Chief loved to come out to Russell because he said it was flat like the West with big skies. Diefenbaker, who loved to get out of Ottawa, would come out to our place in Wychwood, outside of Aylmer, Quebec, and later in Russell, to spend a Saturday and Sunday.” More than boss and staff member, but very fast friends,” said Mark Van Dusen. The two men were close, and before long, their families were too. Under “The Chief’s” leadership, Van Dusen twice ran in Gatineau for a federal seat in Parliament. Shirley’s late husband, Tom Van Dusen, served as Diefenbaker’s executive assistant. The Van Dusens treasure the sketches because they treasured the Diefenbakers. “We said, ‘Mom, these are treasures-precious heirlooms,” he said. “She’s going through these old boxes and, lo and behold, up pop these forgotten sketches,” said former broadcaster Mark Van Dusen, one of Shirley’s seven children. She tucked them away and only recently discovered them. The sketches, however, survived-some slightly water-damaged. Shirley did paint his portrait, but it was lost during a devastating fire in her studio. And he had a terrific sense of humour,” said a smiling Van Dusen. “That great face and those glittering blue eyes. He worked at his desk and took phone calls while Van Dusen observed from her easel in a corner, completing a variety of sketches and taking some photographs. “He said to come in and do whatever I want, so I did.”ĭiefenbaker, who was no longer Prime Minister, but was sitting as an MP, never posed for Van Dusen. The sketches would aid Van Dusen in the eventual painting of a portrait. In 1975, the artist went to Diefenbaker’s Parliament Hill office to sketch “The Chief” while he worked. Van Dusen, now 95 years of age, is a celebrated landscape and portrait painter in the capital. “He” is John Diefenbaker, Canada’s 13th Prime Minister and a dear family friend.
#Russell happy tree friends series#
“They” are a series of sketches, drawn by Van Dusen nearly 50 years ago.
“I was delirious,” said a smiling Van Dusen. Shirley Van Dusen was decluttering her Ottawa apartment when she rediscovered a compelling chapter of her past in a crumpled cardboard box.
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