Thanks for everything, Hazel

Some people may find it odd to describe the passing of a 101-year-old as a shock.

Those people never met Hazel McCallion.

Though the former Mississauga mayor was less than three weeks away from her 102nd birthday, her death did indeed come as a shock, because her seemingly bottomless supply of energy and enthusiasm belied her age.

For many of us at The Riverwood Conservancy, the last time we witnessed that energy was at our Gardens & Gourmets fundraiser, which took place at Capra’s Kitchen in September 2022. Hazel not only made an appearance at the event, but commandeered the microphone soon after her arrival, and passionately spoke about the importance of preserving Riverwood – which she commonly referred to as the gem of Mississauga.

Hazel spoke with the same gusto when she addressed our volunteers at a barbecue last summer, where she thanked them for their service in conserving Riverwood’s natural areas and supporting The Riverwood Conservancy’s nature-focused programming.

We never took Hazel’s support of Riverwood for granted. She was an early supporter of the Mississauga Garden Council (now The Riverwood Conservancy) and the group’s vision of protecting Riverwood as a safe, local place for Mississauga residents to connect with nature.

During her time in the mayor’s office, and in the years that followed her stepping down from her position as mayor, Hazel was a public supporter of Riverwood. She was a voice for our natural areas and nature education initiatives, and a magnetic personality at our events, including her appearance at Dogfest with her furry companion, Missy, and at the Riverwood Garden Soiree where she spent as much time dancing as she did espousing the value of connecting to nature.

Hazel McCallion was first elected Mayor of Mississauga in November 1978, and since that first term she has been a successful candidate in 12 municipal elections; having been acclaimed twice and re-elected 10 other times. She stepped down as Mayor of Mississauga in 2014 after holding her position for 36 years. Soon after, she authored a memoir, Hurricane Hazel: A Life With Purpose.

In 2015, she was appointed Chief Elder Officer at Revera Inc. where she advised seniors and officials leading the company. Also in 2015, she became a special advisor to the University of Toronto Mississauga.

The in 2016, Hazel was appointed the first Chancellor of Sheridan College, and in honour of her birthday, the Government of Ontario announced that February 14 be renamed Hazel McCallion Day.

We share in the sadness that will resonate with many Mississaugans in the days and weeks to come. But above the feeling of loss, there’s a feeling of immense gratitude towards Hazel McCallion for her steadfast support of our organization and the spaces we preserve. Her appreciation of these natural spaces will live on in our work, and in everyone who visits Riverwood.

Mississauga as a city, and the piece of it that we steward, are better off because of you, Hazel.

Thank you.