It is with saddened hearts that the family of Anne McFadyen announces her sudden passing at University Hospital on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
She will be deeply missed by her husband of 43 years George McFadyen, sister Karen (Bob) Kotanen-Atack, brothers Mark (Margaux) and Stephen (Cristof) Kotanen, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Anne was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Norma Kotanen.
Throughout her life, Anne was a positive, energetic person known for her wisdom and compassion for others. She was so many things for so many people: friend, confidante, runner, world traveller, bibliophile and artist.
Her Finnish background and Sami heritage were something of great pride and she loved to count to ten in her mother tongue to the astonishment of many.
Anne was born in Sudbury, Ontario but spent her early years in Copper Cliff, a small village on the outskirts of the city. The family moved to Sarnia when she was fourteen. She attended Northern Collegiate and later Central Collegiate before completing her bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Guelph. After marrying George in 1980, she attended law school at the University of Western Ontario where she graduated and was on the Dean's Honours list.
After articling for a London law firm, Anne joined Elliot, Porter and McFadyen in Sarnia. While there, she became the first woman to become president of the Lambton Law Association. Later, she became the first lawyer from Lambton County to be elected to the executive board of the County and District Law Presidents Association where she served until being appointed as a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in October of 1998. She served in this capacity until her retirement in August 2022. Anne, then, continued as a per diem judge primarily in the Southwest Region of the province.
In her role as a judge, Anne most enjoyed granting adoptions. She initiated an approach that welcomed everyone in the new family to celebrate the addition of the new member in her courtroom and treated the event as a positive non-judicial function which was welcoming and joyful. Over her career, she approved over 400 such applications.
When she was not working, Anne had many interests.
She was a member of the Sarnia Roadrunners and was the runner of the year in 1985. She ran in numerous races in Ontario and Michigan and later started to compete in marathon running completing 13 marathons including the Boston Marathon three times, the Chicago Marathon twice as well as the Dublin Marathon. Her real joy, however, was running and training with her friends on the Howard Watson Nature Trail. She made lifelong relationships as a result.
Anne also loved to read. In pursuit of that endeavor, she and the book club known as the GG’s enjoyed their monthly meetings “reading between the wines”. She was known for lending books from her library and her selections were always in demand.
She also enjoyed acting in the plays performed by the Lambton Law Association. Anne undertook several major roles in these productions and the community benefitted from the efforts of all the local lawyers who participated by raising thousands of dollars for local charities.
Anne was also a world traveler. She and George had many adventures with Stephen and Cristof visiting South America, South Africa and numerous countries in Europe. Each summer for many years she enjoyed a month in Provence in the Luberon Valley and also absorbed the friendly French culture of this area.
Personal relationships were most important to Anne. She praised the supportive staff at the courthouse in Sarnia whose company she enjoyed very much. She often spoke of the collegiality of her fellow jurists in the Southwest Region which added to the pleasant experience she had while serving as a judge. Anne and her dear friend, Gerri Wong, founded a judicial sister group to support and assist its members during the COVID-19 restrictions.
Anne was a loving, caring friend and her welcoming demeanor was reciprocated by so many people in her life. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She donated generously to local charities and causes in Sarnia.
The family wishes to thank Glenn Maddison, Monique Dostaler and Helen Ross for their help and assistance on the tragic day of Anne's passing. A great many of her joyful and challenging experiences in life were shared with her beloved “sister” Monica MacSweeney whom Anne loved very much.
She was taken too soon and too suddenly. In memory of Anne, instead of flowers or donations, she would want you to take a moment to gather your family and friends together to tell them that you love and care about them. This is the greatest gift of all.
While we mourn Anne’s loss, we take comfort in knowing she lived a full life filled with love, laughter, friends and accomplishments. A celebration of life will be forthcoming. There has been a private family service.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia. Memories and condolences may be sent online at www.smithfuneralhome.ca