Jane Hubert Hillary
With deep sadness and loving remembrance, we announce the passing of Jane Hubert Hillary of Almonte, who died peacefully in Ottawa on 2 July, 2026, at the age of 73. She was born on 11 March, 1953, in Windsor, Ontario, to Dr. Norman Lancaster Hillary and Joan Winnifred Grace (Brown) Hillary.
Jane lived a life defined by love and caring for others. Her warmth, creative spirit, and selflessness touched everyone she knew. She was an uncommonly friendly, generous, and open person, with a gift for transforming neglected living spaces and bits of land into welcoming homes and beautiful natural gardens. As a longtime member of the Dunrobin and District Women’s Institute, she was one of the original gardeners who transformed the empty corner lot in the middle of Dunrobin into a welcoming garden space, complete with Christmas tree parties every year.
Jane found happiness in nature and the beauty of the northern forest. She belonged to the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists and went canoe-camping in Algonquin Park whenever she could. She studied therapeutic and organic gardening and shared her joy and craft as a gardener to help her family and friends. She was a competent sailor from an early age, where she sailed out of South Port Sailing Club near Windsor, then on Lake Nipissing, and on the Ottawa River.
Her other great love was children. After a start in early childhood education, she redirected her skills to support disadvantaged and exceptional people of all ages. For several summers she was in her element, helping to organize an integrated outdoor art, play, music, and garden program for children and youth called Spiral Garden, at the Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
In time, she also became an indispensable community resource in supporting elders and terminally ill people at their homes until the ends of their lives. She was a superior cook and lived “in the moment” more than almost anyone. She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and neighbour, and a friend to all she met.
Jane will be remembered for her strength, her selfless nature, and her ability to make others feel cared for. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and compassion that inspire all who knew her.
She is survived by sisters Penny, Molly, Beth, and Norah, and brother Bill, and was predeceased by sister Nancy. She treasured her nieces and nephews, Katy, Susannah, Peter, Anna, Geordie, Jess, Laura, Jim, Annie, Ted, and Jen. Their lives were immeasurably enriched by hers.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 at Tubman Funeral Homes, Carp Chapel, 115 Rivington Street, Carp K0A 1L0.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists, the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust, The Hub in Almonte, or Hillary House in Aurora.
