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APT Canada
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In March 2005, Lois Campbell of British Columbia, a Type practitioner and leader, and a dear friend to many in the APT community, passed away at the age of 66. Her colleagues and friends remembered her exceptional life and career at the 2005 APT International Conference in Portland. Hopefully, the few memories here will bring Lois closer to those of us who could not pay tribute to her then. Sidney Craig Courtice, a friend of many years, recalled the essence of Lois*: “Lois was truly one of those special people we meet along the way; someone who touches your heart profoundly and whose gentle wise words become ingrained in how you do what you do.” Shirley Winlaw-Tierney, remembered Lois from the Sixteen Types Workshop in Vancouver led by Jean Kummerow*: “As Lois and I were both ENFJ we were in the same small group with one other woman. Lois was fabulous. She was full of energy and fun and inclusive of ideas from me and the other participants. When we presented on our type we batted balloons around the room and passed out jelly beans. I am pretty sure that both those ideas came from Lois. Jean Kummerow still talks about that ENFJ group!” Danielle Poirier recalled her first meeting with Lois 30 years ago when she worked at Naramata Centre, a United Church Leadership training centre*: “Lois stood out because of her passion and her caring devotion to others. She was a no-nonsense compassionate woman, one who would listen and counsel but not hold back on what she thought. I remember Lois as always being there although I never had to ask. She was one step ahead of me, knowing what I needed before I could put a finger on it. She was there as a friend, neighbour, and counsellor. More often than not she would show up in her usual straightforward and unobtrusive self – very gentle and kind – but oh, so no-nonsense. Let me put it this way: her denial detector was well honed. There was little room for self-pity as well. Pull up those boot straps and change what you can! Make the best of whatever you have been handed out in life – just the kind of role model one would want around 12 questing teenagers. Lois was the kind of person that would listen to any story without condemnation or judgment; she understood. She had a way of sneaking morality back into the conversation without being moral about it; no one was going to ‘get away with it’.” Later, Debbie Clelland, Lois’ daughter and, for many years, the leader of the British Columbia APT Chapter, shared her living memories of her mom: “My mom was a very special and amazing woman. She raised 3 daughters in that firm but caring way she had. She used to laugh at the idea that people thought of her as a “sergeant” because she saw herself as a marshmallow. In 1984, when we daughters were teenagers, she really dove into type, and it became a cornerstone in our whole family’s life. We talked type almost every day, and one of her favourite stories was when my husband met my sister’s boyfriend, he explained that he would be taking the MBTI. At first mom was surprised by this comment, but then realized all the important people who came into our lives were given the MBTI! When I proudly followed in my mom’s footsteps and went to graduate school to be trained as a counsellor, mom decided I would make a great business partner to do consulting with. The two of us took the gift of “gifts differing” out to many businesses in the BC Lower Mainland, and across Western Canada. I saw mom as a champion of women, and of F’s. Even though I know it was very hard for her to enter into conflict, she put those T’s who were unappreciative of the other deciding preference in their place! And they were mostly grateful. Mom and I also began doing Mother-Daughter seminars together, and brought this to the larger type community at APT XIII in Phoenix. We were nervous about having famous published people attend our seminar. But yet again, as mom always said, APT is about people understanding people, and not competing with one another or keeping best practices secret. Our Mother-Daughter work was welcomed, and we felt happy to be able to bring this unique contribution. I also naturally became part of our local chapter, eventually leading it while mom supported APT Canada. Our chapter became an extension of our type family, and it felt just like that at mom’s memorial service – all there together remembering her. Our chapter often had meetings at mom’s house, and we would be welcomed to swim in the pool, share “widgets” with one another, and browse of all the books and resources in her “MBTI room.” I truly miss her, and I feel very lucky that the “mom voice” in my head is so understanding and wise, and that I am able to carry her with me.” Lois Campbell was a genuine pioneer of
Type in the West. Introduced to the MBTI in her M.A./A.B.S. program at LIOS-Whitworth
College in 1976, she promoted the value and benefits of Type, and stood up for
its ethical use throughout the rest of her career. She started her private
counselling practice in 1979, and being an ENFJ, became the Mom of the British
Columbia APT Chapter in the 1980s. She nurtured the Chapter from a grassroots
circle to a thriving group of Type professionals. She established lasting
relationships between the Chapter and Psychometrics Canada. Later on, Lois acted
as the APT Canada Secretary/Treasurer. Outside of APT, Lois was active in many
professional and community organizations: the BC Association of Clinical
Counsellors, the former Association for Creative Change and the BC Transactional
Analysis Association, and in her community in Tsawawassen, BC. In her devoted
service to her profession, colleagues and friends, Lois was an inspiring leader
and friend. She will remain cherished and loved in the hearts of those whose
lives she touched. |
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