Educator, author, artist, and champion for children

Althea Clare Anne Poulos, a passionate educator and lifelong advocate for children, died peacefully on September 13, 2026. Her life's work was guided by a profound belief: that children are social equals; people in their own right, deserving of respect, dignity, understanding, and the opportunity to make choices.

Born in Saskatchewan in 1931 to Donalda Fraser and Fraser Collins, Althea experienced loss and separation early in life. Her mother died when she was eight, and her father, a salesman, left when she was three while preparing for service during the Second World War. As a foster child, she spent formative years with extended family along the Red River near Emerson, Manitoba. She remembered Manitoba fondly, and the independence she developed there remained a defining quality throughout her life. On the farm, she held her own among her brother and cousins, cared for the animals, and cut through cornfields to reach her beloved school in Transcona.

Althea eventually moved to Ontario, where she was adopted by Ted and Vida Dubois, and sister Marguerite. They made their home along the Holland River in Holland Landing, near Newmarket, and provided Althea with a rich and fulfilling family life.

After completing her education at Teachers College in East York in 1951, Althea began teaching elementary school. Her talents soon earned her the role of demonstration teacher, drawing crowds of observing students and teachers. It was said her lessons were so engaging that watching her teach was likened to going to the movies!

She also co-authored books with Margaret Belfry Lyn, for the Young Canada Reading Series. Their titles included Surprises, The Toy-Box, and Mr. Whiskers. The series was pioneering in its inclusion of children of color and children with disabilities in early primary readers.

Inspired by the work of psychologist Alfred Adler, Althea founded the not-for-profit Kinderschool Adlerian Nursery (KAN), which grew to multiple locations throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, with its main campus on Bayview Avenue in Richmond Hill. A staunch advocate for family development and community enrichment, she believed children should take priority, that they should be listened to and respected to gain a strong sense of belonging. The children in her care were affectionately regarded as “little people,” whose thoughts and feelings mattered.

KAN's influence extended well beyond its classrooms. Parent study nights became a valued opportunity for families to learn, share experiences, and better understand their children. Through her work, Althea impacted thousands of children and parents, creating a legacy that will continue for generations.

A woman of many interests, Althea delved into politics and ran for ward 12 school trustee in North York in the 1970’s, was an environmentalist, painter, singer, and songwriter. She studied architecture, explored Japanese art through her painting, and loved cottage life including adventures with friends on snowmobiles. At the age of 82, she wrote and performed “Manitoba,” at Song Studio, reflecting her enduring affection for the province of her childhood. In her later years, she continued to enjoy spirited conversation, word games, and sunny outings with a good cup of coffee.

Althea was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dennis, a hotelier, who died in 2017 and is remembered for his warmth.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Denna and her three sons, Steven (Beth) with two sons, and Theodore; her grandchildren, Alex (Elana), Justin, Christopher, Allister, and Michael; and her dearest feline companion, Barbaloo.

Althea leaves behind a legacy measured not simply in the books she co-authored or the nursery she founded, but in the confidence she nurtured, the families she encouraged, and the thousands of lives she helped shape.

Cremation has taken place, and a private family interment will be held. A celebration of Althea's life will take place on June 6, 2027, with better weather and timing in mind for all with location to be announced on this website through ABC, Toronto.