Obituary of Hope Hazen Mackay Hunter

Born at home January 1, 1918. Died at home in Rothesay, NB, February 1, 2024 peacefully in her sleep in her 107th year with her daughter Hope and cherished caregivers Shaila and Benie at her side.

Born at home in Hazen Castle, Saint John, NB, Hope was the daughter of Hugh and Katie Mackay. She was so named in the hope that WW1 would soon end. She grew up in Rothesay, NB, attending Netherwood School for Girls. Her lifelong interest in business and politics was fostered by her father, co-founder of the investment company Pitfield Mackay and an MLA and opposition leader in the provincial legislature. Her mother was equally active politically and in a variety of community organizations.  Hope attended postsecondary school in Switzerland from where she travelled to London to be presented at the court King George VI in 1938. Before the end of her second year, she was called home when the early rumblings of WW II broke out.  During the war years she worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia in Saint John. 

In 1944 she married Robert Lloyd Hunter, of Toronto, and moved to Ontario. In 1951 they moved to Montreal where they raised their young family. She enjoyed family ski weekends in the Laurentians and the annual summer trek back to New Brunswick engendering in all of us a love of the outdoors and exploring back roads. In 1968 they moved back to Toronto spending weekends and holidays at 8 Mile Point on Lake Simcoe.

Hope was an active volunteer throughout her life with various hospitals, the CNIB, the ACW and a variety of service organizations.  She enjoyed memberships in gardening, ski, and golf clubs. Her love and knowledge of antiques lead to one of her proudest accomplishments, her role in the interior design and decorating of the new headquarters of Pitfield Mackay Ross in Toronto. 

After her husband Bob’s passing in 1986, Hope returned to Rothesay, built a house where her summer camp had been and a new summer camp on the Long Reach, NB. She enjoyed both for another 35 years - an active gardener and bird watcher, a devourer of biographies, business and history books and consummate chronicler of family history. 

Hope was predeceased by her husband Bob, her 3 siblings Hugh (Yip) Mackay, Ada Hazen (Stit) Inches and Susan (Bun) Leggat, her niece Sheila Mackay and infant great grand daughter, Audrey. She is survived by daughters Susan Hunter (John Siemens), Kate Hunter-Badger (Gregg Badger) and Hope Hunter; grandchildren Peter Hunter (Shannon), Christine Hunter (Josh Crowe), Sydney Badger (Dave Kallai) and Will Badger; and great granddaughters Ava and Elle Hunter and Hunter Crowe. She leaves behind a large extended family scattered across the country.

Hope’s family expresses extreme gratitude to the incredibly caring and compassionate team of care givers that kept her going right into her 107th year - and to good friend and neighbour Barb McAllister who kept her actively engaged with gardening, birds and story telling.

Hope lived a vital and feisty life right to the finish line. She was a strong and independent woman with a good heart and incredible memory. She was our knowledge keeper … and while our history teacher and matriarch has left the room, the huge vacuum in our lives will overflow with memories and stories. Rest in peace beloved Mum - Gran - GG.

A celebration of Hope’s life will take place at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Rothesay, on Saturday, February 17, at 1:00 pm followed by a reception in the church hall. For those unable to attend, Hope’s service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking the provided link located on Hope's obituary page. Arrangements are under the care of Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis (506-849-2119)