"The Shaw Festival looks forward to celebrating this extraordinary woman on March 28th, with all of Goldie’s friends, colleagues and fans," according to an announcement.

Ms. Semple's extensive career included 17 seasons at the Shaw Festival and nine seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, where she played the leading roles in the repertoires of both festivals. She had been scheduled to play Madame Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard at The Shaw this coming summer.

Ms. Semple was not only a celebrated performer, but a gifted teacher as well. She taught at a number of Canadian academic institutions, New York University, and a special summer Queen’s University intensive course held annually at The Shaw.

She was born in Richmond, BC, and studied theatre at the University of British Columbia, then at the Bristol Old Vic in England. For 33 years, she was married to fellow Shaw ensemble member Lorne Kennedy, with whom she had a daughter, Madeline. 

The Shaw Festival is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Visit www.shawfest.com for more information.