DR. JUDITH MARY HIBBERD

Peacefully, as she lived, Dr. Judith Mary Hibberd departed this life May 8, 2025.

Born March 15, 1934, in a cottage in Oxfordshire England, she was the only daughter and third child of Hilary and Gerald Hibberd. She learned skills of gardening, cooking, and animal care on the farm managed by her father. Her lifelong friend, Hazel, describes their childhood as "magical" as they rode their ponies through the countryside and shared the care of pet mice Hunka Munka and Anna Marie. Judith attended a boarding school operated by people she called "nunnie bunnies," where she sang in choirs and learned to play the piano and tennis. After school, she worked as an au pair in France and as a secretary before qualifying as a nurse and midwife. She began her life of adventure by riding an undependable motorbike to provide birthing care. The top-drawer education she received at St. Thomas Hospital, London, England, set the scene for a distinguished career in nursing and health system leadership.

Determined to see the world, she began with a trip to Toronto where Hazel and her husband, Dave, enjoyed an active social life centred around the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. Judith's lifelong friends from that era, John and Brenda, remember her fondly as a godparent to their daughter and as a fearless sailor and diver.

She became head nurse of an orthopedic ward at the Toronto General Hospital, earned a degree at the University of Toronto, and became an instructor in the TGH School of Nursing. Shortly after completing a Master's in Health Administration at the University of Alberta in 1972, she was recruited to the senior nursing position at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. Motorbike days were now behind her, and she drove from Toronto to Edmonton in an MGB convertible. Colleagues at the Glenrose described her leadership there as "enlightened"; and many, particularly Reuben and Maureen, remained devoted friends.

Judith received a Kellogg Fellowship and completed a PhD at the U of A in 1987. Her doctoral dissertation, "Labour Disputes of Alberta Nurses," is an authoritative account of the labour, nursing, and health care history of the period. As Professor of Nursing, she taught and mentored many students who developed leadership careers. She also joined U of A colleagues to teach in a new program for graduate nursing education in Ghana, West Africa. A legacy achievement was her role as lead author and editor of a widely respected textbook, Nursing Leadership and Management in Canada. She was a founding member of the Canadian Association of Nursing History and was Treasurer of the Board of the Alberta Nurses Education Trust for many years.

Judith enjoyed her home, garden, and neighbours. She served as President of the Highlands Historical Society, volunteered with the Edmonton Lifelong Learning Association, and coordinated the U of A Professors Emeriti Book Club where her wit, baking, and administrative skills were valued. An exquisite writer herself, she appreciated good writing in all its forms and endowed an undergraduate essay prize in the Faculty of Nursing at the U of A. As an expert bridge player and gardener, she knew when to call a spade a spade and would remark about pretence, hypocrisy, and skullduggery in highly entertaining terms. Her original observations and turn of phrase made good reading in administrative and personal correspondence.

Judith served elegant meals featuring apples, vegetables, and black currant gin produced "on the property." Members of her inner circle were invited to apple picking parties and received gifts of Christmas cake and mince pies. Her cats Tigger, Venus, and Mr. Darcy were neighbourhood personalities co-parented by neighbour Gail, who, as a librarian, was able to converse with them at the standard of literacy they took for granted.

Music, animals, and the natural world were Judith's spiritual anchor. She loved organ and baroque music and played the classical guitar. She supported local arts organizations and travelled to many of the great opera houses of the world. An unexpected visitor might discover her standing among the tall poles of her meticulously staked runner beans and singing along to whatever was playing on Saturday Afternoon at the Opera.

Judith was an astute businessperson and engaged citizen. For a time, she co-owned a cattle herd with Hazel. Her household appliances were like family members; never cast off and allowed to live out their years. Frugal and environmentally conscious in personal matters, she had an appreciation of nature that extended beyond enjoyment of wilderness walking and helicopter skiing to a deep understanding of the importance of environmental stewardship. When hybrid cars became available, she bought one, but never bothered to own a clothes dryer, preferring to hang up her laundry. She was an active supporter of the International Wildlife Federation, and a path is named in her honour at a conservation property east of Edmonton owned by the Edmonton and Area Land Trust. Well informed about international issues, and deeply concerned about matters of social justice, she supported the work of Amnesty International Canada and joined a group of nursing colleagues to sponsor refugee families.

After becoming a Canadian citizen in 1976, Judith fulfilled her mission of travelling to every continent; but her favourite trip was a cruise through Canada's Northwest Passage. She made frequent trips to England and Australia, and was a loving and generous aunt to Joanna Radcliff, Jane Hibberd (UK), and Heather Hausler (AU); nephews, Andrew Hibberd, Jeremy Hibberd, and Andrew Kerr (UK); and nephews, Stuart, Angus, Andrew, and Tom (AU). She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Jeremy, John, and Stephen; sister-in-law, Irene Hibberd; and beloved friend, Ruth Green. Her sister-in-law, Mary Hibberd, and her nieces and nephews, will miss her regular correspondence and loving interest in them and their families.

In her last years, Judith's quality of life was preserved through the care and companionship of many people who loved her, and particularly her "theatre group", Joan, Linda, and Pat. She received devoted care from Rosena and the staff of Exquisicare, and visits from Christine and her dog Izzy brought joy to her days there.

Judith was practical, self-reliant, and modest about her own accomplishments. When offered the opportunity to review this tribute, she immediately pronounced it "too long," but did not dispute the details. An affirming friend whose lovely mind, independent thought, and purposeful citizenship were an inspiration, she is deeply missed by Sheila, Donna, and all who knew her well. A celebration of her life will be held at the University Club at a date to be announced.