In Memoriam: Liliane Boland

As a child of the Holocaust in Belgium, she survived the trauma of war and moved to Paris in 1948. After leaving school, she worked for the French Foreign Service in France, Israel, and the USA. A voracious reader, Liliane earned a BA in Anthropology at City College in New York (Phi Beta Kappa: Keyholder Award). She then spent two years alongside muralistas in Mexico, immersing herself in their vibrant culture and art.

While pursuing her Master’s degree in Syracuse, she met and married Patrick Bolland. The couple moved to Montreal in 1972, where Liliane found her calling teaching Humanities at Vanier College. She was a passionate and dynamic educator, introducing students to topics such as neocolonialism, Latin America, and the impact of migration on family histories.

Liliane’s commitment to progressive ideas made her a steadfast and spirited union activist. She was deeply involved in the Vanier College Teachers' Association and the Montreal Conseil Central of the CSN, advocating for workers' rights and social justice.

Sadly, the childhood demons of war trauma became more pronounced after Liliane retired in 2005. Without the structure and connection of teaching, she felt less grounded and, in 2015, moved to Fulford Residence. There, she received excellent and compassionate care from the staff until her final moments.

According to her wishes, Liliane will be buried in France. A celebration of her life will be held in Montreal at a later date.

See the full obituary.