Birgit Cantley

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear mother and loving wife Birgit (nee Hagen). Born in Husum, Germany on January 21, 1942, she came to Canada in 1964 and selflessly supported her family from PEI to California. She passed away peacefully at home on July 28 at the age of 71, just over a month short of seeing her grandson born. She inspired her loved ones with the most wonderful display of dignity and grace in the face of unbeatable odds, never losing her ability to light up the room with her smile and eyes. Filled with compassion and interest in others, Birgit made friends easily, loved travel and gardening, and her home was a welcome haven to her many friends. Birgit was the daughter of Peter and Thyra Hagen, and is survived by her husband of 49 years, Douglas, her two children: Christofer and Derek (Joan-Anne) and her grand-daughter Kiera Elle. She is also survived by her older sister Gisela Stahl (Itzehoe, Germany), and brothers Manfred (Elfriede – Lindsay, ON), Karl Peter (Crystal – Mettmann, Germany), and Uwe (Isolde – Heide, Germany). In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Ottawa General Cancer Clinic would be gratefully welcomed in appreciation of their dedication and compassion over the last 9 months and to help ease the suffering of those touched by cancer. Birgit’s life will be celebrated in a gathering at home – a happy reunion of those who meant the most to her and whose lives were made better by her presence.