Sad news this morning on the passing of Hazel McCallion, 2 weeks before her 102nd birthday. "Hurricane Hazel" was our first Honourary Member and Honourary Chair of our first "Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee" in 2006.
When our club was chartered in July 2001 our membership was more than 60% female. We became aware that she owned a farm in Puslinch Township and we notified her office of the creation of a new Rotary club serving Puslinch. We also invited her to be our first Honourary Member. When her office advised that she "would be delighted" to accept we organized a special meeting (April 25 2003) where we not only inducted her as an Honourary Member but also inducted 3 more new female members! We enjoyed her special visits to our meetings - she was personable and never turned down an opportunity to say a few words! When she was able to join us it was not unusual to find her, in her car in the Springfield Golf & Country Club parking lot before 7am, studying paperwork that Mississauga City staff had prepared for her and put in the trunk of her car the day before. Her extraordinary contributions and advocacy will never be forgotten.
"Think like a man, act like a lady, work like a dog"
Hazel McCallion
