Hedda Thatcher, born October 15, 1942 in Vienna, Austria, passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2010, in Victoria, BC, Canada. She is survived by her partner Tony Nicholson, former spouse David, her two sons Stephen (Carol) and Andreas, her granddaughter Alexandra, her sisters Annelies and Maja (Ewald) in Vienna, and numerous nephews and nieces. Hedda was a passionate teacher and mentor. Her love of languages and cultures, and her joy in promoting a greater understanding of them, formed a bridge that spanned five continents. Her loss will be felt by family, friends, and students around the world. Cremation and no funeral by request. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Mustard Seed (www.mustardseed.ca). There will be an informal reception to celebrate Hedda’s life at the University Club, University of Victoria, from 2 to 4 pm, Saturday January 22, 2011.
23 Responses
Some of my classmates have already shared their memories of Hedda Thatcher as our German teacher from 1981-1985 at SMUS, and very eloquently expressed why she was such a rare teacher. I thought she was fantastic: an excellent teacher, firm when she needed to be, encouraging, and often great fun, with a wonderfully wry and iconoclastic sense of humor. Without her excellent tutelage, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy a month in Germany on a language scholarship — an experience that I count as one of the best and most formative of my teenage years. Hedda Thatcher also made sure to remind us that even though our years in high school were very important, the world was large, and that the best was ahead of us. I think she really cared about us not just as students, but as people. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Kenneth Oppel (Toronto)
I too (along with James, John, and Steven) was a student of Frau Thatcher from 1981-1985. She had a huge impact not only on my education but also on my outlook on life in general. She was quite simply the most influential teacher I have ever had. At an SMUS reunion a few years ago I was fortunate enough to run into her and let her know just how important she was to me as a mentor, and how grateful I was – and still am – for the lessons she taught me. I will always remember her fondly.
With deepest sympathies,
Kyman Chan
I was saddened to learn of the death of Frau Thatcher, a teacher that we all feared, loved, and admired in equal respects. I was one of the students that she led fearlessly through Europe on what she dubbed “The Bratwurst Express” and carry with me very fond memories of that trip and her leadership on it.
I travel to Germany and Austria regularly on business and the German that I learned under the tutelage of Frau Thatcher continues to come in incredibly handy. On more than a few occasions, German colleagues and friends ask me when I learned German, and when I tell them that it was over 20 years ago, they ask me how I’m still able to remember it and converse in the language with relative ease. My answer is always, “I had a great teacher”.
My deepest condolences to Frau Thatcher’s family and friends. She was, as the French would say, formidable, and I am sure that she will be deeply missed.
David Chmiel
I was very sad to learn of Frau Thatcher’s passing. Along with James Curtis, John Burns, and a smattering of other SMUS iconoclasts, she was my German teacher at SMUS in the early 80’s. Although it’s been over 25 years since I had her as a teacher, I have many enduring, fond, and funny memories of her. She walked a very fine line between driving us hard and encouraging healthy misbehavior. I’ve never met anyone since who could do that, and I’ll always be grateful to her.
To her friends and family, my deepest sympathies.
– Steven Kasapi (San Francisco)
I also remember Frau Thatcher with great fondness. She was an extraordinary teacher not just because she was adept at languages, but because she had that intuitive ability to sense (and deliver) what her students really needed – whether they understand their own needs or not.
As I was graduating, Mrs. Thatcher kept me quietly after class one day to ask what my plans for university were. I told her my parents were forcing me into a program I didn’t like but that if I wanted tuition, I had to accept this course of study. She understood me better at the time than I understood myself, I think now, and suggested that I tell my parents I would attend as pre-law. “Maybe you will, maybe you won’t,” I remember her saying with one of those European shrugs. “By the time you actually have to decide, who’ll remember that first deal?” I followed her suggestion, left for university and a future at the bar, and wound up studying modern languages and literature instead. I’ve often sent her thoughts of thanks for that sage advice – and the launch from Victoria.
Und dort steht es, schwartz auf weiss.
Fondly, John Burns (Vancouver)
Hello.
I was sad to know that Hedda Thatcher, my German teacher at SMU from 1981-85, has passed away.
I have no doubt that Mrs Thatcher’s passion and engagement drove my own interest in language, a focus I’ve had ever since. I don’t think I had another instructor who would dare be so dryly witty, at times ironicly sarcastic… and always demanding.
Though I hadn’t seen Mrs Thatcher for more than 20 years, I will always smile (and sometimes chortle) when I think of her classes — and feel good about the impression she left on me.
With very best wishes,
James Curtis, Toronto
I have known Hedda as a dear friend and colleague since I joined SMUS in 1987. In 1990, she and I took a party of 26 students to Germany and Austria, and I was struck by the respect and affection they felt for a woman who was intolerant of deceit and political correctness. It has been a privilege to know her. Eva and I still find it difficult to believe that such a seemingly indestructible person is no longer around to share a Bratwurst and a laugh, and offer our heartfelt condolences to Tony and the other members of her family.
Dear Tony,
Heike and I are utterly sorry and still not able to find the right words.
Our friendship started when Hedda came to our boarding school with a group of 15 students from SMUS in 2002. From the very first minute we loved her charme and her subtle wit which was at its best in her Austrian dialect. Hedda was an inspiration to all of us; both of you were wonderful hosts to me and Johanna. IWe shared wonderful times in Bonn and Victoria.
Thank you for being a friend Hedda!
Our thoughts are with you, Tony, and all the family.
Klaus and Heike
Hedda was often an inspiration to me in my first few years at the school when I started here in 1989. She encouraged me in our early years as a family adjusting to a new life in Canada. Hedda was always interested in me and was very kind. She gave sound advice, had a wonderful sense of humour, and had high expectations for her students. She was a professional and a most dedicated teacher. I always had respect for Hedda as a colleague. My sincere condolences to her family.
Joan Tweedie
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Hedda’s passing.
My deep condolences to Tony, and to Hedda’s children and grand daughter.