In Loving Memory of Alma Lee

“Short, curly-haired, powerful as a bundle of dynamite—how she has cared for us, put up with us, comforted us, sung our praises whether we deserved it or not. The Festival’s muse and Queen, with grace and impeccable taste, she has brought Vancouver to the world and the world to Vancouver.” —Lorna Crozier, author (from a book celebrating Alma’s retirement, presented to her in 2005)

It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of the Vancouver Writers Fest’s founding artistic director, Alma Lee. A lifelong advocate for arts and culture who founded multiple pillars of Canada’s literary community, Alma was an esteemed leader and friend, whose vision and dedication put Vancouver on the literary map. She passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025.

Alma was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the daughter of a bagpipe-maker. She discovered her passion for writing and authors after moving to Canada in 1967. As she tells the story, she was working as a secretary when she realized she could not bear to tell another lie for her boss. She promptly walked out the door, went home, and made a list of all the things she loved and was good at—a list which included “literary agent.” None other than Margaret Atwood proceeded to advise her: you need to go to lots of parties, and you need to get a job in a publishing house.

In the following years, Alma became general manager for the publisher House of Anansi; joined with novelist Graeme Gibson to form the Writers’ Union of Canada, and became its founding executive director, advocating on behalf of writers’ collective interests; and was the founding executive director of the Writers’ Trust of Canada, formerly known as the Writers’ Development Trust, which today supports Canadian authors with over $330,000 distributed through its twelve prestigious literary awards. 

When Alma moved to Vancouver, she saw, where others didn’t believe, that the city needed a literary festival. Alma and her collaborator, City of Vancouver cultural planner Lorenz von Fersen, approached CMHC Granville Island and the Granville Island Trust to propose hosting this new festival on the Island. The suggestion was not an instant hit—it took years of lobbying to bring the Festival to life. Alma said there were times when she would put her head down on the desk and cry over how insurmountable the barriers felt. But all her life, Alma was a fierce champion for the causes she supported. In 1988, the inaugural Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival took place in the third week of October, as it always has since. The first writer to confirm their participation was Alma’s friend, Timothy Findley; the lineup went on to include Anne Cameron, Angela Carter, Howard White, Tomson Highway, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Margaret Atwood.  

“Strong. Determined. A builder who didn’t just adopt someone else’s idea, but created something that others now emulate. A lover of laughter. Someone who believes that stories are essential for people to understand and enjoy life to the fullest. And who is determined that young people be given the opportunity to bring stories into their lives.” —Hal Wake, former Artistic Director of the VWF (from a book celebrating Alma’s retirement, presented to her in 2005)

For 17 years, Alma shepherded the Festival as its founding artistic director, growing it into an event lauded around the world as one of the most hospitable, well-organized, enriching, and fun literary festivals to attend. She had a gift for pairing authors together for dynamic conversations regardless of genre, age, or level of fame. She treated every guest with the same kindness and respect, and created a space where people felt comfortable being themselves and connecting with friends and strangers. Her genuine warmth and interest in people drew writers, attendees, volunteers, and staff back to the Festival year after year.

She forged invaluable connections in the literary world, and under her direction the Vancouver Writers Fest brought countless literary icons to Vancouver, while helping to launch the careers of writers such as Kevin Chong, Billeh Nickerson, Aislinn Hunter, and Ivan E. Coyote. She developed relationships with a wide range of Vancouver organizations including the Carnegie Centre, SFU’s Writing and Publishing Program, the Creative Writing Department at UBC, the Vancouver Public Library, and Geist Magazine.

“There are schools which will try to teach you how to fake what Alma actually has. It is a total interest in other people. A fascination with their lives, their opinions, the stories they have to tell… Deep down, she believes something so unusual it should be studied: she believes other people, all of them, are as interesting as she is.” —Spider Robinson, author (from a book celebrating Alma’s retirement, presented to her in 2005)

The first of Atwood’s missives to Alma—to attend lots of parties—was never a challenge for Alma, whose own parties were the stuff of legend, joyfully reminisced upon by her guests. She had firecracker wit, boundless energy, a welcoming nature, and the fortitude to face challenges with grace. To attend the Festival was like being at a week-long Alma Lee party, filled with fascinating people and conversations, to which everyone hoped they’d one day be invited back. 

“Vancouver won’t be the same without you, Alma. You were grace under pressure, quietly reassuring, good company—and you hosted the best “hospitality suite” of any festival I’ve visited, culminating in one occasion with cross-dressing, a successful practical joke on the author of Sex and the City and medics in attendance. Now that’s entertainment.” —Ian Rankin, author (from a book celebrating Alma’s retirement, presented to her in 2005)

Alma was a tireless supporter of the literary arts. She served on the BC Arts Council and the board of the Granville Island Trust, along with several other boards and literary prize juries; raised funds for the Carol Shields Prize; and was a lifelong advocate for Canadian writers. Respected nationally and internationally for her contributions to arts and culture, her awards and accolades included the Order of BC, the Order of Canada, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Simon Fraser University, and the Commemorative Medal for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee.

Long after she retired from the Vancouver Writers Fest, she continued to act as an ambassador for the Festival and provide guidance and insight—including regular visits to the VWF office when she did her shopping on Granville Island, which our team looked forward to for her unflagging sense of humour, deep wisdom, and the doors she opened. She had a seat reserved at nearly every event, and she always listened with abounding thoughtfulness and enjoyment.

“On a personal note, I owe a debt of gratitude to Alma for her mentorship and support. She invited me to join her Festival Board of Directors 25 years ago and has offered me her own brand of strong, Scottish opinion ever since. I’m eternally grateful for what she taught me and the love she shared.” —Leslie Hurtig, Artistic Director of the Vancouver Writers Fest

There are few people who have made as great an impact on the Canadian literary world as Alma Lee. Her legacy lives on in the form of enduring funding, support, and stages for countless writers from coast to coast. Today, the Vancouver Writers Fest is recognized internationally, and thriving thanks in great part to the framework she built, including beloved flagship events like the Afternoon Tea and the Literary Cabaret—which are still going strong after almost 40 years.

Alma will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family, friends, peers, mentees, and the literary community at large. She has touched the lives of tens of thousands of readers and writers, and her impact will continue to shape many future generations.

“A ship in my new book must be named for a beautiful, strong woman. It is a ship that crosses oceans and penetrates deep into the country of Canada. The name Alma Lee springs immediately to mind. Long may she sail!” —Jane Urquhart, author (from a book celebrating Alma’s retirement, presented to her in 2005)

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be announced.