Former New Westminster MLA and school trustee Anita Hagen will be remembered at a public memorial celebration this weekend.
Community members are invited to the memorial that’s taking place on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Ave.
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a reception in the church gymnasium for those wanting to attend. The church will be open beginning at 1 p.m. for anyone wishing to speak to the family ahead of time.
Hagen, who was the city’s Citizen of the Year in 1999, served as a school trustee from 1976 until 1986, when she was elected New Westminster’s MLA, a job she held until 1996. Hagen, 84, passed away from cancer on June 5 at Vancouver General Hospital, with John, her husband of 53 years, and sons David and Joel at her side.
Prior to getting into politics, Hagen advocated for issues she felt needed to be addressed, such as having teaching assistants in classrooms. In addition to teaching and working as the executive director of the New Westminster Seniors Bureau, Hagen worked as a constituency assistant for NDP MLA Dennis Cocke, and worked for NDP MP Pauline Jewett.
In Victoria, Hagen served one term in Opposition and one term in government. She was deputy premier, minister of advanced education, minister of multiculturalism and human rights and secretary of the cabinet.
After retiring from politics, Hagen remained active, volunteering with groups like the food bank. She was chair of the committee that raised funds to establish Monarch Place, the city's first transition house for women and children fleeing violence.
Hagen’s family has established a community service award to be presented annually to a graduating student at New Westminster Secondary School. Contributions for the Anita Hagen Community Services Award will be accepted at the memorial or can be submitted directly to School District No. 40, 1001 Columbia St., New Westminster, B.C., V3M 1C4. Attention: Barbara Basden.
