Her parents were Russian immigrants who came to Canada in the 1920s and they were to have a strong influence in encouraging their daughter in her educational pursuits.
Ang kanyang mga magulang ay Russian dayuhan na dumating sa Canada sa 1920s at sila ay upang magkaroon ng isang malakas na impluwensiya sa kanilang mga anak na babae na naghihikayat sa kanyang pang-edukasyon pursuits.