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Phyllis Dewar

1916 – 1961

Canadian swimmer, Olympic athlete, British Empire Games gold medallist

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About Phyllis Dewar

Lived 1916 – 1961 (aged 45). Phyllis Dewar was a Canadian swimmer.

Phyllis Delma Dewar (March 5, 1916 – April 8, 1961), also known by her married name Phyllis Lowery, was a Canadian competition swimmer and freestyle specialist. At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, she was a member of the Canadian relay team that finished fourth in the women's 4×100-metre freestyle relay. In the 100-metre freestyle, she advanced to the semifinals of the event before being eliminated.

In the 1934 British Empire Games in London, she won gold medals in the 100-yard and 440-yard freestyle events and in two relays. Four years later, at the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney, she won her fifth gold medal in the 4×110-yard freestyle relay.

Early life Dewar was born on March 5, 1916, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She began swimming during her early childhood.

Career In the mid-1930s, Dewar was the Canadian freestyle record holder in numerous freestyle events including the 100-yard and one-mile races. In international competitions, she won four gold medals at the 1934 British Empire Games and her final gold at the 1938 British Empire Games. She also competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics but did not medal. After ending her swimming career in the late 1930s, Dewar served in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Other posthumous inductions include Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1972.

Death Dewar died on April 8, 1961, in Toronto, Ontario.

Personal life Dewar was married with four children.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Awards
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame; Bobbie Rosenfeld Award
Also known as
Phyllis Delma Dewar, Phyllis Lowery

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Phyllis Dewar's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Phyllis Dewar?

Canadian swimmer, Olympic athlete, British Empire Games gold medallist (1916–1961)

When was Phyllis Dewar born?

Phyllis Dewar was born on 5 March 1916 in Moose Jaw.

When did Phyllis Dewar die?

Phyllis Dewar died on 8 April 1961 in Toronto.

What was Phyllis Dewar's occupation?

Phyllis Dewar was a swimmer.

What nationality was Phyllis Dewar?

Phyllis Dewar was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Phyllis Dewar

· Wikidata: Q7188546

· DBpedia: Phyllis Dewar

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Phyllis Dewar. https://biography.guide/phyllis-dewar/

MLA: "Phyllis Dewar." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/phyllis-dewar/.

Chicago: "Phyllis Dewar." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/phyllis-dewar/.

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