Obituary for Louise Hahn
Louise Esther Hahn
July 16, 1928-February 12, 2022
Born in Marlborough, Massachusetts July 16, 1928, to Roger Arnold Curtis and Esther Ada Hitchings Curtis, Louise’s mother died while giving birth to her. Louise was adopted by her aunt and uncle, Dorothy Rumsfeld Curtis and John Arnold Curtis. She was welcomed into the family of five boys; John Jr., Mercer, Willis Lansing, David Putnam, and Donald; who were thrilled to finally have a baby sister and spoiled her accordingly. Louise adored her brothers with whom she maintained very close relationships throughout their lives.
Louise’s biological father left Marlborough soon after with her biological sister and brother, Delphine Curtis (Albanese) and Roger Arnold Curtis Jr., but it was not until their middle years that Louise connected deeply with her siblings. Up to her last days, Louise and brother Roger treasured their Sunday morning phone calls, talking about anything and everything, from family history to politics to tennis, and how to make the perfect martini.
Louise attended Hildreth Public School, Marlborough High School, Walnut Hill School, and Colby Junior College, where she developed a deep appreciation for college football, inter-college dances, and the Benny Goodman Orchestra. She loved summers spent in Scituate at the family summer home where she remembered seeing the Hindenburg dirigible pass overhead.
Upon graduation she moved to Boston and worked as a medical secretary. It was there she met David Hahn, a Toronto Canada native attending Harvard Business School. He arrived at her door for a date with her roommate who stood him up. David and Louise went out instead, and at evening’s end David borrowed money from Louise to pay the bill, having forgotten his wallet. The next day David returned to see Louise, ostensibly to reimburse her, and to begin what would be their life of over sixty years together.
Louise and David were married in Marlborough, September 15, 1951, honeymooned in Bermuda, and then settled into their first home in Toronto, where they lived briefly before moving to England for two years, David having been offered an apprenticeship with English Electric. Married life for Louise began in two new countries, a chilly coal-heated flat amidst food rations, with Louise hand-washing diapers.
Early family life consisted of raising three children while David was running his general contracting business and engaged in political life, cottaging at Georgian Bay, road trips to Cape Cod, sailing, hosting legendary eggnog parties, being on the political social circuit with David, and doing volunteer work at The Junior League. Louise always held the fort, managing it with grace, elegance, and warmth. It was something of a sore point that she was asked to renounce her American citizenship to support David’s political career. She was quietly proud that both daughters sought their American passports as adults.
Perhaps the happiest years were living in Mulmur, where in 1987 Louise and David built a timber frame house on the Niagara Escarpment with expansive views of lovely Southern Ontario hills. Louise and David quickly became integral members of the community. Louise joined the Shelburne Arts Council, the local ratepayer organization, volunteered at the Museum of Dufferin and with friends started a book club and women’s hiking group, both of which are still running today. She and David made the decision to downsize and move to Raglan Village, Collingwood, in 2010
Thanks to the unexpected gifts of the pandemic and a cancer diagnosis in 2020, her daughters alternated duties as cook and companion to her, enjoying beautiful walks on the trails of Collingwood, outdoor deck parties with neighbours and having extended time together. Louise remained remarkably pain-free and in wonderful spirits throughout.
Louise died peacefully in her ninety-third year at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Toronto, with her daughters at her side, on February 12, 2022.
Louise is predeceased by husband David and son Douglas. She is survived by daughters Sue Bunten and Alison Hahn, daughter-in-law Janet Cox, and grandsons Fraser Hahn, Alex Hahn, and Adam Gowan.
Wherever Louise went and whatever she did, she made very deep and lasting friendships. Everyone that knew her valued her warmth, pragmatism, quiet intelligence, and her willingness to try anything and to help anyone. She had a large circle of admiring friends, and her New England charm and strength will be deeply missed by all.
The family extends deep gratitude to the many wonderful caregivers, nurses and doctors at Raglan Village, Collingwood Marine Hospital, and the palliative unit at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
Louise will be honoured at a gathering of cousins to celebrate her and her beloved sister-in-law, Jane, who after sixty plus years of close friendship and numerous canoe trips with Louise and David, Jane, and her husband Willis Curtis, passed away just four days before Louise. Lobster may be on the menu.
July 16, 1928-February 12, 2022
Born in Marlborough, Massachusetts July 16, 1928, to Roger Arnold Curtis and Esther Ada Hitchings Curtis, Louise’s mother died while giving birth to her. Louise was adopted by her aunt and uncle, Dorothy Rumsfeld Curtis and John Arnold Curtis. She was welcomed into the family of five boys; John Jr., Mercer, Willis Lansing, David Putnam, and Donald; who were thrilled to finally have a baby sister and spoiled her accordingly. Louise adored her brothers with whom she maintained very close relationships throughout their lives.
Louise’s biological father left Marlborough soon after with her biological sister and brother, Delphine Curtis (Albanese) and Roger Arnold Curtis Jr., but it was not until their middle years that Louise connected deeply with her siblings. Up to her last days, Louise and brother Roger treasured their Sunday morning phone calls, talking about anything and everything, from family history to politics to tennis, and how to make the perfect martini.
Louise attended Hildreth Public School, Marlborough High School, Walnut Hill School, and Colby Junior College, where she developed a deep appreciation for college football, inter-college dances, and the Benny Goodman Orchestra. She loved summers spent in Scituate at the family summer home where she remembered seeing the Hindenburg dirigible pass overhead.
Upon graduation she moved to Boston and worked as a medical secretary. It was there she met David Hahn, a Toronto Canada native attending Harvard Business School. He arrived at her door for a date with her roommate who stood him up. David and Louise went out instead, and at evening’s end David borrowed money from Louise to pay the bill, having forgotten his wallet. The next day David returned to see Louise, ostensibly to reimburse her, and to begin what would be their life of over sixty years together.
Louise and David were married in Marlborough, September 15, 1951, honeymooned in Bermuda, and then settled into their first home in Toronto, where they lived briefly before moving to England for two years, David having been offered an apprenticeship with English Electric. Married life for Louise began in two new countries, a chilly coal-heated flat amidst food rations, with Louise hand-washing diapers.
Early family life consisted of raising three children while David was running his general contracting business and engaged in political life, cottaging at Georgian Bay, road trips to Cape Cod, sailing, hosting legendary eggnog parties, being on the political social circuit with David, and doing volunteer work at The Junior League. Louise always held the fort, managing it with grace, elegance, and warmth. It was something of a sore point that she was asked to renounce her American citizenship to support David’s political career. She was quietly proud that both daughters sought their American passports as adults.
Perhaps the happiest years were living in Mulmur, where in 1987 Louise and David built a timber frame house on the Niagara Escarpment with expansive views of lovely Southern Ontario hills. Louise and David quickly became integral members of the community. Louise joined the Shelburne Arts Council, the local ratepayer organization, volunteered at the Museum of Dufferin and with friends started a book club and women’s hiking group, both of which are still running today. She and David made the decision to downsize and move to Raglan Village, Collingwood, in 2010
Thanks to the unexpected gifts of the pandemic and a cancer diagnosis in 2020, her daughters alternated duties as cook and companion to her, enjoying beautiful walks on the trails of Collingwood, outdoor deck parties with neighbours and having extended time together. Louise remained remarkably pain-free and in wonderful spirits throughout.
Louise died peacefully in her ninety-third year at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Toronto, with her daughters at her side, on February 12, 2022.
Louise is predeceased by husband David and son Douglas. She is survived by daughters Sue Bunten and Alison Hahn, daughter-in-law Janet Cox, and grandsons Fraser Hahn, Alex Hahn, and Adam Gowan.
Wherever Louise went and whatever she did, she made very deep and lasting friendships. Everyone that knew her valued her warmth, pragmatism, quiet intelligence, and her willingness to try anything and to help anyone. She had a large circle of admiring friends, and her New England charm and strength will be deeply missed by all.
The family extends deep gratitude to the many wonderful caregivers, nurses and doctors at Raglan Village, Collingwood Marine Hospital, and the palliative unit at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
Louise will be honoured at a gathering of cousins to celebrate her and her beloved sister-in-law, Jane, who after sixty plus years of close friendship and numerous canoe trips with Louise and David, Jane, and her husband Willis Curtis, passed away just four days before Louise. Lobster may be on the menu.