Anne Hay – Dipl. Dietetics, Certificate of Institutional Management, Order of Niagara.
Anne Hay died peacefully at home in Victoria, BC on February 11, 2021. Anne Hay (née Bittermann) was born July 17, 1929 in Tynemouth, England to Edward and Lilly Bittermann. After attending school in northern England and Wales, Anne graduated from Dietetics and Institutional Management in Glasgow, Scotland and the Middlesex Hospital in London, and eventually became the School Meals Organizer for the Borough of Tynemouth in 1953.
In 1955 , Anne married Ian Hay (d. 2017) and they commenced 62 years of happy marriage. After a few months stay at a family practice in northern England, Anne and Ian emigrated to Canada that same year. They embraced their new life and eventually settled in the gold mining town of Madsen in northern Ontario where their three children were born: Jane (Richard (d.), David (Brenda) and Mary (Steve). In 1964 they moved to Burlington, Ontario.
Anne’s life focused on family, church and community. Family was central to Anne – she was the glue that held it all together and was always a strong and steady force. She was an amazing cook and maintained many of the traditions of her childhood for special occasions in Canada. Anne shared her love of food with others through her home-based cooking school, Cuisine. Anne’s children and grandchildren (Joelle, Leighton, Madsen, Riley, Adrian) all enjoy cooking!
Anne assisted in the establishment of the first Anglican Church in Red Lake. She was the first woman warden at St Christopher’s Church in Burlington and was involved in many aspects of the church’s activities. In 2010, Anne’s many contributions to the Diocese of Niagara were recognized when she was awarded the Order of Niagara by the Bishop.
Anne always reached out to community groups focusing on developing supports and services to those in need. She was president of the Red Lake Hospital Auxiliary and was involved with many community activities. In Burlington, Anne was President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ontario Medical Association and helped establish the Chimo Post-Secondary Scholarship to support Indigenous peoples. Anne was instrumental in the development of a Halton Fresh Food Box program, community dinners and a men’s cooking class in Burlington at St Christopher’s Church.
Anne and Ian moved to Victoria, BC in 2014 and they quickly immersed themselves in the community. Anne became involved with the Church of St. John the Divine, the Canadian Federation of University Women, the Monterey Centre and the Canadian Club. Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be a private internment of ashes in the Memorial Garden at the Church of St. John the Divine in Victoria, BC.
Later in 2021, when COVID restrictions allow, there will be a celebration of Anne’s life for family and friends in Victoria, BC. The family is requesting no flowers and suggest donations can be made in Anne’s name to Victoria Hospice Society https://victoriahospice.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-donate/donate the Church of St John the Divine https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/118787142RR0021-st-johns-church/ or the Victoria Hospital Foundation https://www.victoriahf.ca/donatenow/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com .
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Dave and Sheila Kroetsch
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Mary Alford I always appreciated Anne ‘s kindness and humanity especially after I had carelessly crashed into her car in the parking lot in St John’s Church parking lot.
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James Kraemer My memories of Anne focus on her kindness and thoughtfulness and her smile. She and Ian were a wonderful couple and it was a pleasure to know them. My condolences on the loss of your mother.
Jim Kraemer
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Beverly Armstrong We were neighbors on Crestwood Ct in Burlington and I enjoyed a visit at their lovely condo while in Victoria in 2014. My sincere condolences to the family. She will be greatly missed.
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Susan Powell/ Larry Scyner Dear Family of Anne,
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Anne and send our condolences. We are fellow parishioners at St John the Divine and therefore knew both Anne and Ian. They were such a friendly welcoming couple and were always so interested in the people around them. When we finally get back to church after this pandemic, we will miss Anne’s smiling face and easy manner.
Peace
Susan Powell and Larry Scyner
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David & Simone Fisher Dear Jane, David & Mary,
We would like to express to all of you our sincerest condolences. We had the pleasure of knowing your Mom & Dad for many years here in Burlington. It is a difficult & emotional time for all of you. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. May your Mom rest in peace.
Dave & Simone Fisher
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Marion Davis Marion and Tony Davis
Anne was a great conversationalist, a great humanitarian, and a great organizer – you could always rely on her for a balanced view. She was kind and thoughtful and had a cheeky sense of humour. We spent many hours knitting together, drinking tea or sharing a glass of wine. We shall truly miss her. Rest well dear Anne. Hugs, Marion and Tony
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Gail Kendall ( and John) Dear Jane, David and Mary:
We were saddened to hear that your beloved mother had passed. John and I were longtime friends that were often at Crestwood Court for one of your mother’s extraordinary diinners. John and Ian met at Medical School in Newcastle first…and then of course your Dad was the the “Rugby Guru…and John played with him.I on the other hand loved that Anne and I cooked with a VERY young Lucy Waverman for thee weeks in Toronto.
Anne urged me to go with her, and we cooked in about a 7’x9′ kitchen in Forest Hill that belonged to the young Len and Lucy Waterman. We also cooked at the foothills of Stowe with La Varenne for three days. Chef ONLY
Conducted classes and cooked in French naturally. My French was definitely inferior as I was much more tired at night than Anne!
By the way, your grandfather Eddie Bitterman was one of my favourite people. We even had a great lobster lunch at his Golf Club at Tynemouth, Whitley Bay Area.Such adventures, such fun, such and extraordinary person. When you are able remember the good times.
Best. Gail and John Kendall.
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Lyn Robinson Dear Jane, David and Mary,
Sad news to hear of Anne’s death, but what a long and interesting life she led. So many memories of life on Crestwood Court and our growing families – I still picture you as the younger people you once were! It was great that Anne and Ian were able to enjoy their last years near so many of their family, though Ottawa must have seemed a long way at times for you, Jane.
I still make Anne’s ‘Green Tomato Chutney’ and think of her whenever I enjoy it with a meal.
My condolences and very best wishes to you all.
Lyn
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Ruth Russell Dear Jane, David and Mary —
I am a professional editor and writer, and grew up in Madsen, Ontario (where I used to babysit often for your parents during my high-school years). I am currently putting together a history of the town of Madsen, with the help of a very able committee of former Madsenites, and I am wondering if the fact that your parents have a grandchild named “Madsen” means that your family felt a special connection to this remote company town, deep in the bush. If you have any memories you would wish to share with me, and with our book’s eventual readers, I would love to be able to liven up an otherwise pedestrian list of the doctors who lived in Madsen. In any case, please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother, after a long life well-lived.
Yours sincerely,
Ruth Weber Russell
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Marilynn Canitz I will always have fond memories of times visiting Anne and Ian in Burlington, Anne was a gracious hostess! Sending love to all.
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Marilyn & Craig Schick We met Anne when she and Ian moved into our condo building. As stated above, it didn’t take her long to become involved in our small, building community. She helped revamp our foyer and bring it up to date and also took on the hiring of window washers and cleaners for our building. She was a great conversationalist and I could talk to Anne about anything. She will be greatly missed by all.
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Jo-Ann Patenaude Please accept my sincere condolences to Jane and your Family.
Jo-Ann
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Cip and Tom Bibby Anne was truly a remarkable and gracious lady in every way. She adored her husband and her family and often spoke of them with love and a sense of pride.
She was so generous with her time and talent and helped so many for the betterment of community wherever she resided. Whatever Anne set out to do-and as you mentioned in her tribute-there were many, she would approach the task at hand with gusto, exploring the many possibilities, asking, listening, and learning from others to find a positive and satisfactory outcome. She showed inclusiveness to all and greeted everyone she met with respect, warmth and that welcoming wonderful smile. She was such an inspiration- a supportive and loving friend.
Tom and I live in Burlington and are members of St. Christopher’s where we enjoyed many years of both Anne’s and Ian’s friendship. Our deepest sympathy and love to the family. May she rest in peace in her Heavenly home. Love, Cip and Tom Bibby
Our condolences to your family. Ann was a wonderful lady and I know you will miss her.