Mrs. Rosemary Sue Hardwick

Rosemary Sue Hardwick passed away suddenly on January 7, 2012 of heart failure at the age of 54. Beloved wife of Stacey Elizabeth Ferguson (Toronto, Canada), daughter of the late Mary and Herbert Neville Hardwick (Cairns, Queensland), sister of the late Langue Hardwick and survived by her sister Nevann Judith Hardwick. Cherished daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, aunt, cousin, godmother and friend. A proud Australian forever.

Rosemary was unique, vibrant, compassionate, intelligent, funny, energetic, and creative. She was an educator, a community mental health worker and nurse, and a suicide prevention trainer with a particular interest in helping gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans youth. She was very active in the community, volunteering for many years with Pride Toronto, the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, and The Toronto International Film Festival, among others, and she and her wife met while volunteering at The Woman’s Common in 1989. She attained the status of Queen’s Guide in her native Queensland, Australia, and guiding enabled her to travel the world with stops in Mexico, Guatemala, and Texas. Her desire to experience snow led her to Canada and eventually Toronto, where she lived happily and contributed greatly for the last 26 years.

On the wall of her home office she had posted her original Girl Guide Ranger Investiture card, dated October 21, 1974 and she had signed her name under the following Guide Promise:

I promise that I will do my best –

To do my duty to God;

To serve the Queen and help other people;

And to keep the Guide Law.

The special responsibility of a Ranger is to be of service to the community.

Rosemary certainly kept the Guide Promise and served her community well. She was loved and respected by many and will be sorely missed. Thanks to everyone who helped enrich her life on earth, which ended too soon.

Rosemary’s funeral service will be webcast live at 2:00pm Saturday, January 14, 2012, on the website of The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto (MCCT). If desired and in lieu of flowers, donations to MCCT would be appreciated.