Shirley Vivyan HADWEN

Shirley Vivyan HADWEN obituary

Shirley Vivyan HADWEN

Shirley HADWEN Obituary

Published by Ottawa Citizen on Mar. 29, 2017.

HADWEN, Shirley Vivyan (nee Brown)
Died peacefully at age 87, in the home of her son Matthew Hadwen and daughter-in- law Simone, where she had received devoted and loving care for the last ten years.
Predeceased by her beloved husband John. They were married for 52 years.
Much loved and proud mother of her four sons and daughters-in-law: Timothy and Alison, Peter and Marilyn, Matthew and Simone, Anthony and Wendy. Delighted with 14 grandchildren: Jacob and David; Olivia, Nicola and Jonathan; Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Carissa, Thomas, Paul, Samuel and Mary; Amanda and Alexander. Great-grandmother of Sophie, Adrian, Norah, Elaina, Julia and newly-born Esther. Predeceased by and close to her parents George and Vera Brown; and siblings Roger (Janet), Sylvia (Jack) and Ken. Dear sister-in-law of Ruth and beloved by the extended family.
Born April 20, 1929 in Toronto. Third child of four to George and Vera Brown. George was a professor of history at the University of Toronto. Her childhood on Heath Street was a happy one–streetcar rides to school, journeys to the cottage, her first use of lipstick, her father's attention to her math education. Spending each summer at the cottage on Lake of Bays was a major feature of her childhood and adolescence. It is at the cottage that Mom developed her graceful swimming stroke and smooth canoeing technique. Picnics, evening canoe excursions, plays, cottage work and meeting the lake steamer when it docked were the natural course of events. She developed a love of the piano, and was proud of her ARCT from the Royal Conservatory permitting her to teach music. We marvelled at her delicate touch at Christmas carol parties.
The daughter of a Methodist (United Church) family, she attended Victoria College her parents' alma mater. She played volleyball and studied anthropology. After University she taught in England, and then Ottawa to work in the Civil Service Commission and immersed herself in a very active social scene. Friendships with many have continued to the present day.
Then a certain gentleman named John, a bridge-playing friend of her brother Ken and a Foreign Service officer appeared. At the cottage, after arriving with roses, he awoke Shirley early one morning and proposed in a canoe. The wedding happened within a week at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto. John flew off to Vietnam and Shirley returned to the Civil Service Commission–back to reality. However, in short order they departed for New York and the United Nations. These were heady days (Pearson obtaining the Nobel Peace prize). The opportunities to carve a new world order appeared limitless, and they loved the cultural and entertainment mecca that was New York in the 50s. Their apartment on Madison Avenue was even in the same building as Marilyn Monroe's therapist!
It is in New York that Shirley began the next phase of her life as a mother. Timothy was born there. Upon returning to Ottawa, a year and a half later she gave birth to identical twins Peter and Matthew, a complete surprise to the doctors and her! A year and a half later Anthony arrived. Shirley now had four boys separated in age by about three years.
Then began many years of enjoyable and important international travel and shared responsibility for representing Canada in Norway, Malaysia, Burma and Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal. Following a period in Ottawa to have the boys finish high school and embark on their university careers, she and John went to India. It was there that she wrote her famous letters to her sons chronicling her experience and journeys around India. After John retired she worked for CIDA hosting foreign delegations.
Recently, she enjoyed picnics in the park and visiting Ken and Ruth Brown for tea after church. She blessed everyone with her warm, welcoming and gracious presence, as she listened and always gave her non-judgmental and encouraging support. Throughout all of her amazing life journey she never left sight of her four boys and their families. For that we are so grateful. Goodbye our dearest mother. We trust that all memories and her life are safe with God and that she is dancing up above cheek to cheek with John.
A Funeral will be held in Ottawa at MacKay United Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 with a Reception afterward in the church hall.
Condolences/Tributes/Donations
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
hpmcgarry.ca
613-233-1143

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November 5, 2017

Ted Hazen posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2017

Someone posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2017

Sylvain Golsse posted to the memorial.

10 Entries

Ted Hazen

November 5, 2017

So sorry Matthew and Peter and family to hear of your mother's passing. I've been out of touch and just learned of it now as I did an internet search to try to get connected with you. Peace to you all. I hope to connect with you more directly soon through a phone call.

April 1, 2017

Dear friends
We are so sad to hear of your loss. We pray for your whole family that God's magnificent love filter down and cover your hearts helping to ease the pain through the wonderful memories of your beloved mother.

Thinking of you
Loving Jesus
Keith and Heather Schneider / Guild and family
Ottawa

Sylvain Golsse

April 1, 2017

Dear Extended Cousins

So very sorry to have heard the news. Sincere condolences from the Golsse family. Shirley was an amazing and prominent figure. Impossible to think about Ottawa or Lake of Bays visits without thinking about how welcome she made one feel. Thinking of you all.

Anne Hull

March 31, 2017

Dear Hadwen Family, I am sending our condolences from "The Hull Family". We all have many fond memories of Shirley from our days at Bona Vista on Lake of Bays. We are all thinking of you at this difficult time.
Anne Hull Toronto

Scott McLeod

March 30, 2017

Dear Tim - thinking about you and your family at this time of loss - Your Mom was clearly an amazing woman... My hope and prayer is you and your family will be comforted by your loving memories of your mom! Thinking of you!

Sarah Hicks

March 30, 2017

Dear Hadwen boys,

I am so sorry to hear about the death of your mum. She was a wonderful woman. A life of memories of your mum and dad at countless gatherings and events over the years - the men stuffing themselves into their old Trinity blazers until it was no longer possible - and such happy memories of popping by the cottage for the many summers I was working at camp. Always feeling welcomed - and even when I'm sure my 18-year old self was less than remotely interesting, your mum always seemed to take an interest. I will hold all those memories and many others very dear. Lots of love, Sarah

Joe & Lorraine Zinni

March 30, 2017

Dear Hadwen "boys",

We have such wonderful memories of your parents during our posting to Pakistan.
We were so sad to hear of your mother's passing.
Our very deepest sympathy.

Joe and Lorraine Zinni

John and Linda Noble

March 30, 2017

Dear Matthew and extended family,

Our most sincere condolences on the death of your beloved mother and grandmother. Shirley was a great woman and an essential party of the Hadwen team which crossed the globe representing Canada in so many places with such distinction. We remember several delicious meals served at her house with John carving the roast of lamb.
We regret we will not be able to attend her memorial service tomorrow but want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

Kitchen Clan

John Kitchen

March 29, 2017

John Kitchen

March 29, 2017

Condolences at this moment of time to your family, as yet another chapter in life is written, kind words are spoken and are memories rekindled.
Don Brown, Ottawa

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Hulse, Playfair & McGarry - Central Chapel

315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1A2

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Sign Shirley HADWEN's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

November 5, 2017

Ted Hazen posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2017

Someone posted to the memorial.

April 1, 2017

Sylvain Golsse posted to the memorial.