The board of directors of CANHAVE Children’s Centre Inc. at its meeting this month was saddened to record the death of Marguerite (Grete) Hale (1929-2022), one of the founding members of CANHAVE and a lifetime honorary member and director. The board of directors expresses heartfelt thanksgiving for Grete’s life and service, and conveys to her extended family our deepest sympathy.
One of our former presidents, Janet Castle, has contributed to the following reflection.
“Dreams do come true, but they take vision, commitment, effort, money and a lot of time. To me, that is what philanthropy is all about.”
Grete dreamed throughout her life and CANHAVE came to life through her vision and her commitment to bringing dreams to life. A founding member and an honorary lifetime member of this Ottawa-based charity, Grete reserved a special place in her heart for CANHAVE. She shared her belief that we could help Ugandan orphans by providing for their schooling. Grete’s incredible circle of friends were called upon to help foster the mission of CANHAVE. From building the vocational school through fundraising efforts, providing a well for clean drinking water, a latrine for the school, to the construction of a dormitory for the female students of the vocational school, Grete’s passion and wisdom energized and aided in sustaining our practical concern for the lives of children without parents. It was Grete’s belief that the girls needed a safe place to be while attending the school. Her fundraising efforts on behalf of CANHAVE made that dream come true.
The “baker’s daughter” personified philanthropy. She has left us with an enduring legacy.
It is perhaps fitting that the directors and many volunteers of CANHAVE first learned of Grete’s passing on Saturday, November 5, 2022, while we were together and busy at the fundraising rummage sale hosted by Parkwood Church, Ottawa. We continue to labour, not in the shadow, but in the bright light of her example.
