Camilla was a refugee from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

One stormy night she fled from home with her boyfriend. All they had was what they wore and could carry with them.
They succeeded in getting into Austria. Eventually they arrived in Canada, ending up in Winnipeg. 

I met Camilla in Winnipeg many years later at a Continuing Education course on photography.

It so happened that we were partnered for a field trip to produce a video of our choice. Camilla suggested we work on gravestones in a historic churchyard. I was interested. Maybe I would learn more about Winnipeg churches in the process.

We had time to visit only one church, though. Camilla selected St. John’s Cathedral. Although I had been in Winnipeg since 1968, I had never been there. What’s more, Camilla knew a lot more of Manitoba’s history than I did.

Camilla was very interested in my project to photograph old churches. 

Neither of us had much spare time, though. She was employed at The University of Winnipeg. I was with the Province of Manitoba. So we would work together, but independently.

We also agreed — in our ignorance — that the two of us would be able to complete the work in one summer. So, better yet, why not include Saskatchewan’s churches as well? But, being foreigners neither of us was aware of the several hundred churches in each province. So, so much for ignorance. So much for dreams.

When realisation dawned our plans changed. It would be only Manitoba and the churches would have to be over 50 years old.

Our collaboration never got off the ground, though. Camilla took ill. For a while she was able to keep shooting.

Camilla passed away soon after.