Helen Hadden touched so many lives at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. For more than 50 years, she inspired others through her tireless work as an AGH Volunteer and Docent. Helen was a colleague, a role model, a mentor – and most of all, a good friend.
When Helen passed away on January 25, 2025, at the age of 99, we lost someone very special who made a remarkable impact at the Gallery.
“Helen was a dearly loved member of our AGH family,” says Shelley Falconer, President and CEO at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. “She was formidable for her smarts, drive, energy, and sharp wit.”
After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1948 with a degree in Library Science, Helen lived in Kapuskasing and Timmins before moving to Hamilton in 1961. She began to volunteer at the AGH in 1965 and continued to do so until 2018.
When the AGH moved into its current building in 1977, Helen was able to call upon her education in librarianship and organize the Gallery’s rich collection of books, catalogues and historical records.
“As the founding librarian, she laid the foundation and built the systems and catalogue we use today so researchers, colleagues, students, and volunteers could seamlessly access our rich records and resources,” says Shelley.
According to Tobi Bruce, the Head of Exhibitions and Collections/Senior Curator at the AGH, “Helen was so much more than the AGH’s librarian. She was our institutional memory, our ultimate fact checker, our touring wizard, and one of our dearest friends. I will miss her remarkable mind – she had a memory like no other – her steadfast and stalwart daily presence, and her unwavering love of books and art.”
Helen spent many years as Head Docent, and she took great pleasure in training other Docents and leading tours for the public.
“I first met Helen when I was an art history undergraduate at McMaster in the early 1990s,” recalls Christine Braun, who previously worked at the AGH and currently serves as the Head of Collections/Registrar for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. “I joined the staff of the AGH a few years later as Registrar and would chat with her often. I was thankful that she took the time to encourage me at this critical time in my early career.”
Christine and Helen developed a strong bond that continued to strengthen over their 20 years working together.
“I will miss her wit and her generosity of spirit,” says Christine, “I am extremely grateful to have known her, and to know that the AGH is much richer for her contributions.”
For Helen, learning was an ongoing process to be savoured and shared with others.
“She helped guide and mentor AGH directors, curators, scholars, and volunteers, and was an indefatigable resource for all who came – strengthening our Gallery and community,” says Shelley. “The AGH is a better place because of her work.”
Although Helen will be missed, her legacy lives on at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
“The contribution Helen made to the Art Gallery of Hamilton over her 50-plus years with us is indelible,” says Tobi. “And so was the women herself.”
A Celebration of Life will be held for Helen at the AGH on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, with remarks beginning at approximately 2:00 pm.
