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 .
14 Responses
Our condolences to your family. Ann was a wonderful lady and I know you will miss her.
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.
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
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.