Page 23 - QMSConnectionsMagazine-2020-21-digital

Acting Out
Out
BY CAREY PALLISTER, ARCHIVIST

LEONE BRABY (SMITH, ‘57)

At Queen Margaret’s School, From there, she appeared on
diversity and individuality are several TV shows. She began
now accepted and encouraged, to be recognized on the
but 60 years ago, these qualities streets of Tokyo where she
could get you into a little bit was frequently stopped for
of trouble. Nevertheless, her autograph and became a
the outstanding education, fluent Japanese speaker. Known
standards and community as Lee-San by her fans.
helped shape the lives of many Leone also starred in the
students. controversial film: White Skin,
Leone Braby’s (Smith, 1953- Yellow Commander Shiroi
1957) joy for life and her Hada To Kiiroi Taicho (Manao
tendency to climb trees landed Horiuchi, Japan, 1960). This
her in Miss Denny and Miss movie, based on the memoirs
Geoghegan’s office quite of Yamaji Tadashi and set in a
frequently, yet she shares that women’s prisoner of war camp,
“Queen Margaret’s School caused a storm of protest in the
gave me the courage to do Netherlands and elsewhere,
everything I have done in my but from Lee’s point of view it
life.” was an amazing experience.
After attending Queen Harry Bellafonte and Shirley up her own business with her
Margaret’s School, Leone MacLean were among the husband, William Braby.
left for Tokyo, Japan where celebrities she met during her Upon reflection, Leone admits
her father, a Sargent in the time in Japan, as well as singer that her parents made sacrifices
Canadian Military, was posted Kyu Sakamoto 坂本九, with for her to be able to attend
to the Embassy. Outgoing whom she was romantically Queen Margaret’s School, but
and spirited, Leone joined the linked. Kyu Sakamoto became the gift wasn’t appreciated at
International Friendship Club. world famous for his song “Ue first. “In the beginning, I wasn’t
This connection proved to be o Muite Arukō” (上を向いて trilled to be there (at QMS). I
the launching point for her entry 歩こう), Look Up As I Walk, felt abandoned and out of my
into the Japanese entertainment alternatively titled Sukiyaki. depth, but I blossomed,” she
industry. Lee loved everything about shares. “I learned to appreciate
English for Millions Hyakuman- Japan and regrets having to others, gained self confidence,
nin no Eigo (百万人の英 leave three years later when and was taught to share, an
語) was a 30-minute radio her father was posted back to important aspect of what it
language program utilized Canada. She even continued to means to be part of a greater
to teach English to Japanese promote Japanese culture upon community. All great lessons
children. Leone was selected her return to Canada. Following for an only child! Today, I feel so
for her Canadian accent which marriage and children, Lee lucky, so blessed, so proud to
was found to be the easiest to became a stained glass artist have been a QMS student.”
understand. in Ontario eventually setting

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