Jessamy Stursberg enjoyed a life that was enriched by reading, particularly poetry. Born in Inverness, Scotland in 1916, Jessamy was married in Paris and lived with her husband, Peter, in London and New York before immigrating to Canada. Together, they raised two children, Judy and Richard. The family lived in Ottawa and later Vancouver, where Jessamy passed away. 

Jessamy maintained a rich and imaginative life through her love of Chaucer, Shakespeare, John Milton, John Keats, Walter de la Mare, T.S. Eliot and Robert Burns. Books bridged new and old worlds for her and she was a great admirer of all those who wrote poetry. Her keen mind retained impressive amounts of verse, most of which she knew by heart. This gift became a comfort once her eyesight failed. 

Poetry also contributed to Jessamy's concept of beauty. She adored and collected beautiful objects, from Georgian silver to native Pacific plants. Jessamy Stursberg was a remarkable woman with a talent for friendship. She possessed a profound ability to love, unconditionally, her family, her friends and a world that she helped make more beautiful.