In Memory of Dr. Lavina Lickley
Thank you for making a donation in memory of Dr. Lavina Lickley. Your gift will be directed to an award being established in Dr. Lickley's name at Women's College Hospital.
If you'd like to share your memories of Dr. Lickley, you may do so in the "Leave a Message" section after you press the "Donate" button above.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please call us at 416-323-6323 or email foundation@wchospital.ca.
Hazel LAVINA Agnes Lickley
ARCT, B.A., M.D., Ph.D., FRCSC, FACS.
August 11, 1936.-July 11, 2025
We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Dr Lavina Lickley. The only child of James Thomson Frasier and Hazel Simpson (née Fennell) Lickley, she was an accomplished surgeon, researcher and teacher, friend and bon-vivant.
Lavina had a gift for friendship. She cherished each of these extending from kindergarten through Branksome Hall, university and into her career as a researcher, professor and surgeon. Among her dearest friends were those from her Victoria College days (where she was a diminutive centre forward on the ice hockey team) and her 3rd year Medical School clinic group who were still her travel, dining and bridge partners over 60 years later.
Following her BA and ARCT (piano) the same year, she entered Medical School at the University of Toronto completing her surgical residency there before completing a PhD in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. Fellowships and sabbaticals in London England and Sydney Australia broadened her skills and her circle of friends. She joined Women’s College Hospital in 1974 and served as Surgeon-in-Chief from 1989 to 2000.
Lavina was an accomplished academic with a special interest in glucose metabolism, thyroid disease and particularly breast cancer; authoring, co-authoring and collaborating on 70 peer-reviewed journal publications as well as 30 book chapters and with over 9000 citations. She delivered 240 presentations at meetings and was invited to speak at academic institutions around the world.
As one of the earliest female breast surgeons, she contributed to several pivotal clinical trials, many of which have defined the field and impacted countless women with breast cancer. She was all the more compassionate and insightful in offering patients informed options for treatment, being a breast cancer survivor herself.
Lavina was the first woman to receive a full Professorship in the Department Surgery at the University of Toronto. In addition to her many teaching awards, she mentored and inspired generations of medical students, interns and residents. In recognition of her many contributions to the Department of Surgery, she was honored in 2018 by the inauguration of the Lavina Lickley Lifetime Achievement Award requiring candidates to demonstrate the same exceptional professionalism, leadership, research impact, exemplary clinical care and teaching contributions as Lavina.
Despite her extremely demanding career, Lavina loved a party!
An exceptionally accomplished cook and generous hostess she would think nothing of orchestrating massive dinner parties at her home on Astley Avenue or her cottage on Kawagama Lake. Robbie Burn’s dinners and Lavina’s birthday bash on the dock, complete with multiple courses and fireworks provided cherished memories, as did the somewhat raucous end-of-the-evening singing of Scottish folk songs around the cottage piano.
A woman of many talents and interests, Lavina was a master at Scrabble, loved bridge, classical music, opera, and travel. No matter how far she traveled, though, she often said her happiest place in the world was the cottage. Built by her parents on Kawagama Lake, she would often finish her afternoon clinic, shop for groceries, then drive 3 hours to the lake. Arriving at the dock, she would load the boat then navigate (sometimes more successfully than others) the 30-minute boat ride in the dark. She was extremely generous to share its magic and the joy of her companionship with generations of friends and colleagues from around the world.
We will miss Lavina's supreme kindness and selflessness, her inspiring dedication and generosity. She leaves behind many grateful friends, patients and colleagues and an extraordinary legacy of mentorships and accomplishments.
As per her request, there will be no funeral service. Donations in her memory may be made to Women’s College Hospital Foundation (support.wchf.ca/Lickley) where an Award is being established to help continue her dedication to exemplary care.
