The Community of Huron East is mourning the sudden passing of Economic Development Officer, Jan Hawley, yesterday, March 16th, 2021.
Mayor, Bernie MacLellan says her passing was particularly shocking because he always just felt she would be there forever, as her footprint can be seen all over Huron East and throughout Huron County. MacLellan calls her the beating heart of Huron County.
"Jan was the beating heart of Huron East and it's not hard to tell when you look at her Facebook page and all the comments from the public and business owners of how much they're going to miss her."
MacLellan adds, she was also the face of Huron East throughout the province because of the provincial awards she won on behalf of Huron East against competition from much larger communities. This year she won the Economic Development Council of Ontario's Award for Rural Excellence again for the second straight year and was also runner-up for the Innovation in Community Resiliency Award.
And MacLellan adds, her claim to fame, Win This Space competition was not only a huge success in Huron East, but elsewhere.
"And with her claim to fame with the Win This Space, not only was it a huge success for Huron East, but Jan shared her time, free of charge, to other communities because Jan believed in economic development and when any of us did good, we all did well from it."
Jan was in her 69th year. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at the Seaforth Golf Course.