Ankaret Helen Dean, a distinguished fibre artist, educator, and community advocate, passed away on September 27, 2006. Born on July 26, 1932, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, she was the daughter of John Arthur Chetwynd-Talbot and Helen Mary Townsend.

Dean’s early years were marked by her upbringing in wartime England, an environment she recalled fondly. She emigrated to Canada after meeting her future husband, John Orcheston Dean, on a voyage across the Atlantic. The couple married a year later and settled near Lake Ontario in Oakville, where they raised their family. In 1992, they relocated to High Valley Farm near McDonald’s Corners, Ontario, a move that Dean described as bringing her some of the happiest years of her life.

Throughout her career, Dean was a significant influence in the fibre arts community, particularly in weaving and basketry. She was renowned for inspiring generations of artists through her teaching, published articles, and newsletters. In 1995, she played a pivotal role in founding McDonalds Corners and Elphin Recreation and Arts (MERA), which continues to promote arts and culture in the region.

In 2017, well into her 80s, Dean established the Lanark Highlands Basketry Museum, showcasing a comprehensive collection of woven baskets. This collection is currently exhibited at the Middleville Museum, preserving her legacy and passion for the craft.

Ankaret Dean is survived by her sister Susan Thomson; her children Joanna Dean, Pippa Dean-Veerman, Louise Moody, and Anthony Dean; grandchildren Jonathon Moody, Jasmine Georget, Amanda Wilson, Adam Moody, Matthew Pedley, Lucas Wilson, Simon Moody, Basil Veerman, Marlow Wilson, Blake Veerman, Sarah Dean, and John Dean; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband John Dean, her son-in-law Russell Pedley, and her brother John Edward Chetwynd-Talbot.

A celebration of life is scheduled for October 24, 2026, at the Agricultural Hall in McDonalds Corners. The family has expressed gratitude to the staff at Lanark Lifestyles and her healthcare team for their support. Memorial contributions in Dean’s honor may be directed to MERA. Her guiding principle, “Busy Hands, Happy Heart,” reflects her lifelong dedication to creativity and community engagement.