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
I was wondering how Hedda was and my husband found this site. We were very surprised to hear she had passed away. We knew Hedda when she was brought in from Canada to teach at Mejiro Gakuen in the early 90s where I was also teaching part time. We remember Hedda as a friend and spent many weekends together at the tiny house we rented near the school. To Hedda, it didn’t matter what position you had or rank you held in the institution we worked for. In fact, she was always kind and generous to us and embraced us with her friendship. We remember you with happy thoughts. Cheers Hedda! Junko and Malcolm
Dear Andreas, Stephen, David and Tony:
As a former student, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Hedda’s sudden passing. As a somewhat less-than-promising learner of German slouching in my desk in September, 1979, I had no idea that my life was about to change. Hedda taught German with razor-sharp wit, verve and style, and if she was impatient, it was because she knew – long before and more decisively than many of us did – that we could do better. Hedda taught me that to truly learn German one has to appreciate the beautiful logic of its structure. It is a language which requires precision and effort and a committed teacher like her with high expectations; there are no shortcuts to clarity and elegance of expression. I am so grateful to her for many things: for demanding that we take the long road to getting it right, and for giving me the skills to win a life-changing scholarship to travel to Germany in 1982 and to pursue language teaching as a career. What I learned from her stood me in very good stead over my educational and professional trajectory that began at St. Michaels over thirty years ago.
In the Germanic and Slavic Studies department we hold an annual awards ceremony in which top students of German receive book prizes from the German Consulate for their course grades in German. As the coordinator of the first- and second-year program, I speak to the audience about how learning a new language opens so many doors to remarkable possibilities. I also share with the group a still-treasured consular book prize I received in 1982 with a bookplate filled in with Hedda’s handwriting. It reminds me that the best teachers do not give us directions but help us choose our own path.
She will always be missed and always remembered.
Matt Pollard (Victoria)
Andreas and Stephen:
I’m very sorry to hear the news about the passing of your mother. She was a larger than life character. The world is a duller place without her. Best wishes to you and your family at this time.
Jerome Hass