Marie died peacefully, at Hamilton General Hospital on Saturday, January 29, after having suffered a stroke earlier in the week. She had just celebrated her 88th birthday on January 9.
She was the only daughter of Kenneth and Helen (Todd) Saunders, the middle child of five, and was predeceased by two brothers, and their wives, William (Dorothy) and Robert (Evelyn), and sister-in-law Gertrude (Hewitt) Hall.
Survived by daughter Maureen (Jeff Topp), of Hagersville, and son Todd, of Hong Kong. ‘Grams’ to Jennifer Topp (Alexandre Hendrick), and Great Gramma to Arthur, of Toronto.
Also surviving are her brothers Tom (Greta), Dave (Caroline), sister-in-law Ruth (Hewitt) Zadanyi, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.
Marie grew up on a dairy farm near Nanticoke, ON. In her youth, she was captain, and pitcher for the Ontario Champion Jarvis Jills Softball Team. She attended Hamilton Normal School, becoming a well respected teacher, following in her mother’s and aunt’s footsteps. As a 4H Leader, she taught many a young gal in Hagersville to sew and cook. Marie sat on the Board of the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario, culminating in the role of Provincial President, having worked her way through the chairs of the West Haldimand General Hospital Auxiliary, and the HAAO Region 4 Association.
She served on the Board of Governors for West Haldimand General Hospital, as well, and was an active member of Hagersville United Church. In 2012, Marie was honoured to receive a Queen’s Jubilee Medal, in recognition of her contributions to the community.
Howard and Marie started the highly successful Hewitt’s Dairy Bar in 1962, and upon Howard’s death in 1994, continued to oversee operations at both the Dairy and Dairy Bar, until the sale of the company in 2014.
She was a force to be reckoned with, an astute business woman, but also very generous with her time, and supported many causes and charities. She will be missed.
The family will honour her life with visitation at Hyde & Mott Chapel, 60 Main St. S., Hagersville on Sunday from 2 – 5 p.m. and 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. where a private family service will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022. Interment Hagersville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marie’s name to Hagersville United Church, or the West Haldimand General Hospital and Healthcare Foundation.
Proof of vaccination is required.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of H Marie Hewitt 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Hagersville, Province: Ontario