Acting Out
Story appeared in the 2020 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY CAREY PALLISTER, QMS ARCHIVIST
ALUMNI LEONE BRABY (SMITH, ‘57)
“Queen Margaret’s School gave me the courage to do everything I have done in my life.”
At Queen Margaret’s School, diversity and individuality are now accepted and encouraged, but 60 years ago, these qualities could get you into a little bit of trouble. Nevertheless, the outstanding education, standards and community helped shape the lives of many students.
Leone Braby’s (Smith, 1953-1957) joy for life and her tendency to climb trees landed her in Miss Denny and Miss Geoghegan’s office quite frequently, yet she shares that “Queen Margaret’s School gave me the courage to do everything I have done in my life.”
After attending Queen Margaret’s School, Leone left for Tokyo, Japan where her father, a Sargent in the Canadian Military, was posted to the Embassy. Outgoing and spirited, Leone joined the International Friendship Club. This connection proved to be the launching point for her entry into the Japanese entertainment industry.
English for Millions Hyakuman-nin no Eigo (百万人の英語) was a 30-minute radio language program utilized to teach English to Japanese children. Leone was selected for her Canadian accent which was found to be the easiest to understand.
From there, she appeared on several TV shows. She began to be recognized on the streets of Tokyo where she was frequently stopped for her autograph and became a fluent Japanese speaker. Known as Lee-San by her fans.
Leone also starred in the controversial film: White Skin, Yellow Commander Shiroi Hada To Kiiroi Taicho (Manao Horiuchi, Japan, 1960). This movie, based on the memoirs of Yamaji Tadashi and set in a women’s prisoner of war camp, caused a storm of protest in the Netherlands and elsewhere, but from Lee’s point of view it was an amazing experience.
Harry Bellafonte and Shirley MacLean were among the celebrities she met during her time in Japan, as well as singer Kyu Sakamoto 坂本九, with whom she was romantically linked. Kyu Sakamoto became world famous for his song “UeMuite Arukō” (上を向いて歩こう), Look Up As I Walk, alternatively titled Sukiyaki. Lee loved everything about Japan and regrets having to leave three years later when her father was posted back to Canada. She even continued to promote Japanese culture upon her return to Canada. Following marriage and children, Lee became a stained glass artist in Ontario eventually setting up her own business with her husband, William Braby.
Upon reflection, Leone admits that her parents made sacrifices for her to be able to attend Queen Margaret’s School, but the gift wasn’t appreciated at first. “In the beginning, I wasn’t trilled to be there (at QMS). I felt abandoned and out of my depth, but I blossomed,” she shares. “I learned to appreciate others, gained self confidence, and was taught to share, an important aspect of what it means to be part of a greater community. All great lessons for an only child! Today, I feel so lucky, so blessed, so proud to have been a QMS student.”
