- The Governor General of Canada
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Marie des Anges Loyer
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
July 20, 2007
Vol. V, p. 158
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Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Gules and Or, in chief semé of seedlings Or, in base a lamp enflamed Gules;
Crest
A pelican in her piety Or distilling drops of blood Gules set on a nest of grape leaves Or and roses Gules;
Motto
SOWING SEEDS TO HELP OTHERS • ENSEMENCER POUR AIDER LES AUTRES;
Symbolism
Arms
Red is one of the colours of the University of Ottawa, where Dr. Loyer taught for 29 years. The idea of planting and nurturing seeds refers to Dr. Loyer’s work in nursing education, as well as her continuing involvement with the university and as a philanthropist in education, health care, and for community organizations. The angled division line alludes to mountaineering, a recreation Dr. Loyer enjoyed for many years. The lamp is a traditional symbol of nursing.
Crest
The pelican, an ancient symbol of compassion, appears in the crest of the School of Nursing of the University of Ottawa, which was granted in 1975 during Dr. Loyer’s term as Dean. The roses are her favourite flowers, and Rose was the name of her maternal grandmother, who encouraged and supported Dr. Loyer in her career. The grape leaves are taken from the arms of the town of Arcos de Valdevez in the wine region of Portugal, the home of Dr. Loyer’s late husband, Dr. Thomas Da Silva.
Motto
This reflects the theme of the Arms, and appears in both languages to reflect the fact that Dr. Loyer, who is Franco-Ontarian, has lived and worked in both of Canada’s official languages.