Daughter of the late Margaret Cotter and the late Cecil Morrison; wife of the late Reginald Britten Hale; sister of the late Jean Pigott (late Arthur), Gay Cook (late Robert), and the late Lydia Morrison; Aunt to John Pigott (Elizabeth Thackray), David Pigott (Janet Riedel), MJ Pigott (George Kearney), Don Cook (Fiona Murray), Kelly (nee Cook) Kubrick (late Geoff Kubrick), and her many, much loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews here in Canada and in Britain.
Grete graduated in Journalism from Carleton University in 1954. She joined her father’s business, Morrison Lamothe, where in 1967, she was responsible for the 20-foot cake at Canada's 100th birthday party on Parliament Hill, that was cut by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Grete served as President of Morrison Lamothe from 1978 to 1989 and Board Chair from 1989 to 2005. She served on dozens of corporate and community boards. A respected businesswoman who famously kept an on-time agenda, she was also an active and dedicated volunteer who never hesitated to wade in.
Among the many organizations she served, Grete was President of Beechwood Cemetery and Foundation, where she fought for its very existence for all Canadians; founder of the Friends of the National Library of Canada, and Honorary Life Member of the boards of CANHAVE Children’s Centre and the Community Foundation of Ottawa. She was the recipient of many awards, including the Order of Canada, wearing her pin with great pride. Grete served as the first-ever female Honorary Colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards from 2011 to 2013.
She had an immense network of friendships that spanned countries and decades. She took enormous joy in nurturing those relationships through travel and phone calls. She will be missed by all.
Her life was blessed in every respect. She lived life to the fullest in her service to God, community, and country.
Details of Events:
Book of Condolence – There will be a Book of Condolence available to the public the week of Monday, November 21st to Friday November 25th at Beechwood National Memorial Centre (during office hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Please come at your leisure if you wish.
Public Visitation – The Beechwood National Memorial Centre on Tuesday, November 22nd from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday, November 24th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
A Memorial Service - To be held in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre on Saturday, November 26th, 2022, beginning at 1 p.m. Followed by a reception.
Virtual Memorial Service - Please pre-register to join us online on November 26th, 2022, beginning at 1pm Eastern Standard Time: Livestream Registration
Donations - Should you wish to honour Grete’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Margaret and Cecil Morrison Memorial Fund or Beechwood Cemetery Foundation.
Link: https://www.ocf-fco.ca/funds/en-margaret-and-cecil-morrison-memorial-fund/
Link https://beechwoodottawa.ca/en/foundation/foundation
Photo Credit: Paul Couvrette
Digital Guestbook
Martin & Penny Folliott
allangeorgia@hotmail.com
My family had a connection to Marguerite Cotter and Dorothy Thompson through their fatherI send my deepest sympathy to your family She was a lady who will certainly be missed
Georgia Allan
Marianne Wilkinson
Grete has been a wonderful friend, supporting me in many ways, attending my International Women's Day advents and more. She did so much for so many groups and individuals in Ottawa and internationally. I try to follow her example in a small way but I miss her.
Yumi Kotani
I am so saddened about the passing of Grete. She was such a kind, caring, and warm person who extended her heart to everyone in such a genuine manner. As an immigrant I didn't have many people from her generation in my network - but she took me in, as she did many others. I loved how she'd call me "my dear" - holding my hand with both her hands if it was in person, or with her usual warm cheerful voice over the phone. Her generosity of spirit touched me deeply, and I will miss her greatly. I feel humbled to continue her legacy through our work for the Ottawa community, including through the Ottawa Community Foundation, which symbolized the way she cared for so many.
Many happy memories to cherish