Mimi Ho, Staff Member

It is with the greatest sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and colleague Mimi Ho passed away June 24, 2021 after a year-long battle with cancer. Mimi died in the comfort of her home with her two loving sons Terrence and Torrance by her side.

Throughout Mimi’s incredible 30 years of service at the OISE Library, she remained deeply committed to providing excellent customer service for U of T students, staff, and faculty. As a colleague so aptly noted, Mimi’s “warm and welcoming smile brightened everyone’s day at the OISE Library Circulation Desk for 30 years.” As OISE’s Senior Access Services Associate, Mimi worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the Library’s Service Desk and course reserves ran smoothly, and that the Library always opened on time and the Desk was always staffed, no matter how bad the weather or how big the subway delay.

What those of us who worked with Mimi will remember most about her was her incredible kindness, her generosity, and her strength and positive attitude in the face of adversity. Regardless of the hardships in life she may have faced, Mimi filled the lives of those she knew with thoughtful words, gifts and gestures. In the words of another colleague, it “was impossible to work alongside Mimi and not be affected by her kindness and her way of being in the world.”

Mimi’s family has requested that individuals wishing to make donations in her honour do so by giving to the Canadian Cancer Society to support the battle against lung cancer.

Mimi will be deeply missed by her colleagues, the OISE community, and others whose lives she has touched.