A full day and night party . . .
featuring Enid movies, music, paintings, photographs, artifacts, internet performances, books with stories, and people with stories.
It’ll actually be sorta fun.
We’ll have oliver favorite food n drinks.
This is just an invitation, not an obligation.
But it’ll certainly be a memorable Memorial.
Date: on The Enid Equinox, Friday, Sept. 23rd, 2011
Time: Toodle’nine. (2 till 9)
And if it’s still cookin we’ll go back to the townhouse.
Or you’re always welcome to come out for one-on-one visits at a later time.
Location: in the gorgeous Grand Gathering Grounds in the front of Burloak — two-story high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, huge fireplace, piano, video screens, great sound system, giant patio, exotic fish and other weird stuff …
Burloak Long Term Care — 5959 New St., Burlington
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Mom’s Memorial — Friday, Sept 23rd, 2011
It went great. It was like an extensive museum exhibit, except the stuff wasn’t under glass and you could pick it up and look at it. And it was like a library the way people had their heads buried in historical books and photo collections — and were finding things that I didn’t even know about! And it was like a great party with a lot of laughter, electric energy, and new friendships being made.
There were no formal speeches — it just never felt right. Everyone was so into the show and the moment — That was the Memorial. They didn’t need anyone telling them what to feel — they were already memorializing in every direction on their own.
It was Enid through a kaleidoscope anywhere you looked — about 20 of her paintings, paintings of her, framed photos covering nearly 90 years, her report card from nursing school, her paint tubes and brushes, her brass rubbings, her father’s diaries from the 1910s, her childhood photo albums from the ’20s, her scrapbooks from the ’30s, her nursing memorabilia from the ’40s, her fashion photos from the ’50s, her Rocky Mountain paintings from the ’60s, her real estate clippings from the ’70s, her miniature paintings from the ’80s, her video adventures from the ’90s, her published stories from the 2000s, her notebooks from writing classes, her trip diaries, her writings to take with you in photocopy, a huge spread of all her favorite chocolates and cakes, Edward Sellers playing acoustic guitar in the background, home movies of her hiking under the Redwoods in the Cascades … her whole life on display in a giant cathedral-like space filled with all these different people who knew her, over all these different decades, in all these different ways, sharing memories with each other.
For 7 hours.
It was so nice.
And she was there smiling, laughing, and telling stories all night long.
Rock on, Mom!
Enid E. Hassett — 1920–2011 R.I.P.
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.
Obits ran in the Oakville Beaver for the Sept 16/17/18 weekend edition, in the Winnipeg Free Press on Saturday, Sept 17th, and the Brandon Sun, Saturday, Sept. 24th.
Enid Ester Hassett, formerly Olver, and originally Bennett.
Born in Brandon, Manitoba, on Earth Day, before there was one — April 22nd, 1920. She skipped away while dreaming on September 13th at the age of 91.
Enid was an environmentalist before there was a movement. She was a feminist before there was a word for it. She was a painter, a writer, a nurse, and someone who found people homes to raise their children.
She always championed what was right, and was never addled by artificial restraints. Her philosophy came down to — “Do whatever you think is right, but DO it.” And — “Don‘t stop at the first roadblock — there’s a way around everything.”
She was a nurse anesthetist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and Supervisor of the first Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Manitoba. She was the top woman real estate agent in Winnipeg in the 1970s, and she made sure she saw the world, traveling far and wide long before it was common. She married a happy, happening Air Force pilot, Frank Olver, who was tragically killed in 1951. They had one daughter, Susan.
In 1956 she married a cute, easy-going banker, Vern Hassett, and had one son, Brian, in 1961.
An Epic Enid Memorial will be held on the Equinox, Friday, September 23rd, from 2PM till 9PM, at Burloak Long Term Care, 5959 New St. (at Burloak Dr.) in Burlington.
Enid is survived by her son Brian Hassett; her sister Marjorie MacAuley in Brandon; 3 grandchildren, Christopher and Michael LeSavauge, and Elizabeth Sutherland; and 3 great-grandchildren, Grace and Christopher LeSauvage, and Magdalene Tsushima.
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Here’s another tribute to her — A Song of Enid I Sing.
Or here’s some of the other many tributes that came in to this Force of Nature.
Or here’s one of our many adventures together — The Maltese Fall.
And here’s — the tribute to her husband and my Dad — Vern Victor Hassett.
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Brian Hassett karmacoupon@gmail.com BrianHassett.com
62 responses so far ↓
1 Bill Hodgson // Sep 15, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Well of course it’s raining down here …
Perfect weather for a time like this.
The sky is crying.
Mama Hassett is up on a cloud in a very nice section of heaven, setting up her easel and trying to capture the pearly gates on a bright white canvas …
ENID LIVES!
I sometimes refer to Enid as “Queen-id”. She certainly had that queenly air about her. She was an alpha female. She was an alpha mother.
Many years ago Enid gave birth to a son she named Brian who went on to become one of my oldest and dearest friends. So for that fact alone I am grateful to her. But it goes on …
Enid was one of the top real estate agents in all of Winnipeg for a very long time. She won many awards, prizes, accolades, etc. She even sold ME my first house.
Thanks Enid.
I had known Brian since he was in high school. We both had the same initials, both lived on Queenston St., and both went to River Heights, and Kelvin High School. He was several years younger than me but was already “on the bus.”
I was playing in a band that he enjoyed. He introduced his scene to our scene and a cross-pollination took place. Brian has always been very good at introducing people to other people and changing their lives.
Soon he was the youngest passenger on an actual Merry Prankster-like school bus as we crossed western Canada with a dozen other freaks.
It was a 6-month odyssey that is remembered very fondly. Brian left the bus trip early so he could start his last year of high school. ! ?
Q — What kind of a mother allows her only son to run off at 16 years old with a bunch of older crazies heading for parts unknown and a summer of madness??
A — A very hip mother.
After graduation, and after much deliberation, Enid & Brian decided to go to New York University in New York City. This was huge at the time. Just the name of the school stirred the imagination. I was delighted. I would now have a friend in NYC.
Thanks Enid.
Another new year, another new band. Brian had meanwhile worked himself into running the student council at NYU and was booking the concerts there. I sent Brian a tape of my new group and he booked us at the university on a bill with David Lindley. Soon Brian was managing the band. While in NYC the band crashed at the townhouse room on Washington Square North that Enid had rented for Brian. It was actually Eddie Condon’s bedroom in his apt. Kurt Vonnegut lived a few doors down. Mathew Broderick lived upstairs.
Thanks Enid.
Two years later Brian brought the band back to the States and I never left. Would I be living in America today if it wasn’t for Enid and Brian’s planting in Manhattan? Hard to say. Hard to say. Enid’s ripple effect …
About a decade later Brian and his mother were on another cross-country road trip when he brought Enid out to our home in Pennsylvania for a visit. They’d been hitting all the art galleries in New York and Philly, and Enid had been doing her painting, sometimes right out in the streets. She couldn’t stop talking about it. She was so excited.
Her son was showing her a very good time. He brought her out to see my band play — and she could talk to anyone — biker, doctor, hippie, or policeman. That’s where Brian gets it from. She had an artist’s soul.
I would also like to add that Brian is the most devoted son I have ever known. He is a blessing for Enid. He is a blessing from Enid. What mother wouldn’t love to have a son as caring as he?
At my show tonight I shall dedicate a song to Enid (“The Sweetest Gift”) and have everyone raise a glass in honor of her majesty.
Thanks Enid.
2 Susan Howard // Sep 15, 2011 at 11:47 AM
She was one of a kind!
3 Joe Myles // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:27 PM
She sure was!
And … Wow, beautiful tribute Bill. “Ripple effect” indeed. So true.
R.I.P. Enid.
4 John Cassady // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:30 PM
So sorry to hear of your loss.
I can tell she was a great woman.
All best condolences,
JC
5 Dave Nic Nichols // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:32 PM
She gave birth to you, Bri, a more shining example of a good soul, positive spirit, would be difficult to find.
Fine woman, indeed!
6 Megan Reese // Sep 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Hey Mr. B –
I would love to be there for this celebration. I went to a festival called the Enid, remember?
I love you!!
7 Alex Nantes // Sep 15, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Brian, this is such a beautiful tribute to your mom!
Your mom will always be that endless waterfall in your heart! I’m sorry for your loss brother.
You are always in my thoughts.
8 John Link // Sep 15, 2011 at 1:11 PM
My prayers, wishes & good vibes are heading out to Enid’s Soul on her transition, to your healing heart, and to all those who loved her.
I always think of this as the person’s “other birthday”- as sure as they are passing away from here where things are ending, they are passing to another place where things are beginning. So … Happy Birthday Enid!
“There has never been a time when you and I have not existed, nor will there be a time when we will cease to exist.”- Sri Krishna in ” Bhagavad Gita”
Blessings Of Love & Light!!!
9 Mitch Dorge // Sep 15, 2011 at 1:21 PM
She’s left behind the most qualified ambassador.
10 Duncan Lennox // Sep 15, 2011 at 1:33 PM
Farewell Enid, thank you for all that you did for the world, and thank you for the profound influence on my life that your life has had on me. You will be missed and remembered well.
My condolences to you Brian. I know how much your relationship with Enid means to you and how well you cared for her in her declining years. I know she was grateful to have you there for the journey and the end.
Strength friend.
11 Barnaby Marshall // Sep 15, 2011 at 1:40 PM
My condolences, brother. I know you loved her deeply. May she have found peace.
Barn
12 Heather Potwarka // Sep 15, 2011 at 1:45 PM
I am so sorry for your loss. We are all holding thoughts of you and Enid close to our hearts – there are a lot of tears in Zimmerman House.
13 Walter Raubicheck // Sep 15, 2011 at 2:04 PM
She had such a great spirit … I’ll never forget her birthday party at the Bitter End …
You never stopped being there for her, and therefore have stored up so much loving karma … Peace be with Enid ….
14 Levi Asher // Sep 15, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Brian … the first time I met you was the first time I met your mother. Do you remember this? At the Nuyorican show. I thought it was so cool that you brought “your mum” places — like Jack did. She was a great person — I also remember hanging out with her at your apartment on 70th street.
I wish I could come up and celebrate with you, but in lieu of that, know that I’m thinking good thoughts for you and you mom.
Required listening, of course … John Lennon.
With friendship and best wishes …
15 Al Robinson // Sep 15, 2011 at 2:54 PM
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
when the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay…
16 Damian D'Aguilar // Sep 15, 2011 at 3:03 PM
Peace be with you brother! You and only you kept her here this long.
17 Whitney Gilmore Hauser // Sep 15, 2011 at 3:31 PM
So sad for you, Brian.
18 Joanne Gillies // Sep 15, 2011 at 4:41 PM
You are in my thoughts are prayers…
19 Linda Ranson-Smith // Sep 15, 2011 at 4:52 PM
awwwww…. Thinking of you Brian. xxoo
20 Karl Frick // Sep 15, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Sorry, Brian. May her light shine on you.
21 Heidi Kroeger // Sep 15, 2011 at 5:59 PM
So sorry you lost your mom, Brian.
Sent with Love,
Heidi & Kevin
22 Kathy Soke // Sep 15, 2011 at 7:01 PM
Beautiful words. My deepest sympathies for your loss. She raised a wonderful child.
23 Marilyn Brown // Sep 15, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Yep, you are a wonderful Mother and Son team. You took good care of both of your parents and you’re both very fortunate to have each other.
Her LOVE shone through all of the time. She talked about you with pride and love long before I even met you. I’m sure she’ll always be there, just like my Mom.
24 Gail Bhatti // Sep 15, 2011 at 8:15 PM
I am so sorry to have lost a very special lady like Enid. I always had a special relationship with her and I will miss our interactions and her quirky little smile when she thinks she’s pulling one over on us.
I will also miss seeing you. The amount of love and affection you had for your mother was truly amazing to watch without a doubt. She was the most important person in your life and I know she knew that. It was apparent to everyone that you loved your mother.
I send you my condolences and prayers. I will miss Enid but I know she is no longer suffering. Right now, she is upstairs spreading her words of wisdom and showering everyone with laughter the way only Enid could.
Take comfort in knowing you did everything for her and that she knew how much you loved her. I can only pray my sons treat me the way you treated your mother.
25 Gail Derby // Sep 15, 2011 at 9:17 PM
Hi Brian, I so wish I could be there because knowing you it’s going to an Epic all right, an unparalleled one for a most deserving woman.
Enid always made a person feel very special to have been selected to be her friend and I will always be proud and honoured to be one of the lucky ones.
And you were too, to have your BFF and soul mate for so many years.
You rock Brian, and Rest In Peace, Enid E.
26 Salin Guttormsson // Sep 15, 2011 at 9:17 PM
So sorry to hear this, Brian. May your best memories brighten these greyer days.
27 Lee Noonan // Sep 15, 2011 at 9:24 PM
Hugs to you, Brian. Wish you were my son.
28 Dan Neil // Sep 15, 2011 at 11:01 PM
She had a long life, lets hope we get that same time on earth! Celebrate her life!
29 Paul Johnson // Sep 15, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Sorry to hear the sad news Brian — you are a great son whom was deeply loved by your Mum — my thoughts are with you, bud!!!
30 Emma Wasserman Hodgson // Sep 15, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Rest in Peace, Enid. As a mother, I appreciate the kind of son you were. You were both lucky to have each other.
31 Terry Derkach // Sep 15, 2011 at 11:25 PM
My sincerest and most heart felt condolences, Bruno. Nothing compares to the gift that you were each other. Peace always.
32 Jeff McLaughlin // Sep 16, 2011 at 12:03 AM
My deepest deepest sympathy Brian.
You and I just reconnected but please know that my feelings are the most sincerest that they ever are at this time. Big hug…
33 Mary Armstrong // Sep 16, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Of all her accomplishments, she did real good when she had you, Brian. How fortunate for you to have had the benefit of her legacy to you. I sincerely hope that your grief is tempered with her life celebration.
34 Mary Lou Myles // Sep 16, 2011 at 1:48 AM
What a life well lived.
Your Mom was pretty damn amazing! She was so blessed to have you as a son, and you to have her as a mother.
The way you write about her is so inspiring and such a fitting tribute.
With much love,
Mary Lou
35 Jennifer Nokes // Sep 16, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Brian,
Just heard the news about your mom’s passing this morning. Just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you.
Your writing about her is so touching and beautiful. Take care of yourself.
Jenn
36 Rick Medland // Sep 16, 2011 at 9:36 AM
Sorry to hear your sad news Brian. Your Mom was so charming when Joe and i saw her. Deep condolences.
37 Mark Lewis // Sep 16, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Sorry to hear about your mom.
A reminder – you were and are a good son.
38 Fulvio Cecere // Sep 16, 2011 at 10:40 AM
I’m sorry to hear about your loss but thrilled to hear about what a wonderful woman she was.
39 Beth Sutherland // Sep 16, 2011 at 12:20 PM
My real condolences. Very sorry for your loss.
40 Christopher LeSauvage // Sep 16, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Brian,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I can’t express how sad I am for you. Having lost my Mom not all that long ago I know how hard it is. I’ll be thinking about you a lot.
I think it’s really great how you are celebrating her life, keep it up, time passes so quickly and it is great to relish in the joys we get while we are here.
Best, Chris
41 Pat Myles // Sep 16, 2011 at 3:33 PM
So sorry to hear of your loss of your Mom. I believe the only important thing we can leave behind on this earth are happy memories and I know she left you many. Take care and God bless, Love Pat
42 Rob Salmon // Sep 16, 2011 at 4:22 PM
much love my brutha, thoughts and prayers are with you. am glad christian and i got to meet her when we visited. you’ve been truly exemplary in handling this and giving so much love, I’m sure she’s so proud.
43 Mark Godden // Sep 16, 2011 at 4:29 PM
Sorry to hear about your mum, Brian.
44 Edward Sellers // Sep 16, 2011 at 6:31 PM
Hope you are remembering the best of your times!
I will fly back from NYC that morning and would be honoured to sing to Enid’s memory.
Stay positive.
45 Kelly Corbett Summers // Sep 16, 2011 at 6:34 PM
My deepest sympathies for your loss Brian.
46 Ann Zagaroli // Sep 16, 2011 at 7:52 PM
i love this!
she was an amazing woman who bore an amazing son!!!
i am thinking of you.
love,
az
47 Gord McLeod // Sep 16, 2011 at 9:37 PM
Well said Brian, great tribute to your Mom!
48 Susan Adamo Baumbach // Sep 16, 2011 at 9:48 PM
These memories of your mom, Brian, remind me of my own March for the Berrigan brothers, Women’s Strike for Peace mom who I was so lucky to have had. And she gave me a ton of freedom too. And she encouraged me to go to NYU too.
I’m sure they’ll run into each other.
49 Scott Weaber // Sep 17, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Only had the pleasure once.
God Bless! Peace!
50 Stacey Anderson // Sep 17, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Oh Bri! She was a great lady! And you a great son! I should be so lucky! I’ll be there, and can help with the photos and video and stuff. Hugs and kisses!
51 Sylvia Shaw // Sep 17, 2011 at 8:55 PM
Thank you so much for this!!
I’ve often thought of Enid and wondered if she had passed on without us hearing about it. It sounds as though you are sending her off in fine style, however.
She was indeed a remarkable woman and I know you will miss her very much.
52 Alison Myrden // Sep 17, 2011 at 10:35 PM
I KNEW as soon as my mom read read me the obit that YOU wrote it!
It was the most beautiful, heartfelt and loving tribute to your Mother, or anyone, my dear, sweet friend.
Know that You and your mother are in our hearts today and always Brian…
53 Chris Rafuse // Sep 17, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Condolences, BH. Do you know Patrick Kavanagh’s In Memory of My Mother? It’s very Irish, of course, but I think you’d like it.
54 Brian Dodge // Sep 17, 2011 at 11:31 PM
I’m sorry for your loss Brian. It sounds like she was quite a woman. Her light will shine on through you. Best wishes to you.
55 Hugh Reilly // Sep 18, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Sorry to hear about your mom….but great to hear about her life.
56 Phil Wagner // Sep 18, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Please accept my deep condolences on the loss of your mother. You were a great son, and you were blessed to be close to her. I know the last year or more was difficult. Now she is at peace.
With sympathy,
Brother Phil
57 Rod Miller // Sep 19, 2011 at 12:42 AM
Your classically Brianesque tribute in the Freep was perfect, and took me back to the early stories in Shepard’s class.
Your Mom left an indelible mark on all of us. Isn’t time the perfect canvas for perspective and context… Thanks for sharing.
58 Brad Verebay // Sep 19, 2011 at 1:42 AM
Hey brother,
Love from Indonesia where me, my wife and MY supermom are tasting the world together. I would have loved to be at the memorial. I’ll reach out when I return sometime in 2012.
Peace and love.
59 Lois Sweetland // Sep 19, 2011 at 10:50 AM
I always was impressed by the way you always took great care of your mom, made her feel valued, made her laugh and made her feel young. She truly enjoyed her last years with you. I don’t think we’ll make it on the 23rd but we will have a drink here in honour of Enid. I see you are still being your creative self – I never know what to expect. It always gives me my pick-up for the day!!
60 Melissa Steele // Sep 20, 2011 at 12:44 AM
I just read this beautiful tribute to your mom. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Warm thoughts are winging your way.
61 Dick van Wyck // Sep 20, 2011 at 10:34 PM
My sincere condolences on the passing of your mother, I know you were a close knit family and I admired the way you selflessly took care of her.
I will take a moment to reflect this Friday on Life, and how Death gives us and Life its meaning…….
Keep up your spirits and the celebration.
62 Sylvia Gregory // Sep 23, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Dear Brian,
Words cannot express my appreciation for this and in having the opportunity to get to know you as you shared the biography of your wonderful, feisty, LIVE LIFE AND LOVE mother.
I wish we had had more time to spend together when she was in Texas, but alas, some distinguished Canadian banker traveled down here and swooped her off her feet.
I mentioned to her one time that it was strange to have come down here so she could meet her future CANADIAN husband.
While I cannot be there physically, I intend to be at her memorial today in spirit at least. I am pretty sure I can imagine the many tales that will be told about their friend, Enid. And yes, it could very well last into the wee hours. At least that is how Enid would have wanted it.
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