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REMEMBERING Glebe Report March 10, 2017 19

Teena Hendelman

lived life to the fullest

by Elaine Marlin opponents on contentious issues “just
to be fair.” She was earnest and dedi-
Our community lost an exceptional cated but was always up for a good
woman on January 18. Teena Hendel- laugh as well.
man, a resident of Fourth Avenue, was Teena would be solution-oriented
involved in so many different types of when faced with a tricky problem. She
activities that she was well known to a would take the measure of the problem
great number of her neighbours and to at hand, empathize, research, evalu-
a network of citywide organizations. ate with flexibility and intelligence
She was an independent-minded and come up with a practical alterna-
woman who was nevertheless often tive. Sometimes the challenge would
seen as part of a duo with Walter, her be resolving a conflict between the
husband of 54 (almost 55) years. Many need for privacy and a shared work-
of us remember their tag-team effect- ing area (the Glebe Report office is a
iveness at meetings concerning the shoebox-size space). For example, if
development of Lansdowne Park. As the solution involved a new purchase,
docents for the Canadian Museum of she would see that the equipment was
History, they researched the exhibits in place as soon as possible, some-
they would be presenting to the public times when some of us were still at
with diligence and enthusiasm. the griping stage.
When friends gathered after Teena’s Or it might be organizing a hir-
death there was much talk of hospi- ing process for a new editor or staff
tality and of the parade of people member. She was very good at ensur-
who had been lodged in the Hendel- ing a fair hiring process. She had a
man household over the years and of lifelong interest in education and was Photo: walter hendelman
the warm welcome they gave many professionally involved in one way or
at their cottage. The list of volunteer another throughout her career, wind-
involvements is long and includes most ing up as the coordinator of citywide
notably: Canadian Friends of Beth testing for the Ottawa Board of Edu-
Hatefutsoth, Tamir Foundation, Active cation, now OCDSB. Teena Hendelman lived a life rich in friends and experiences, including her longtime
Jewish Adult 50+ and co-founder of One of the causes dearest to her involvement with the Glebe Report, and will be sadly missed.
the Ottawa Reconstructionist Havurah heart was human rights. The dedica-
(now Or Haneshamah). tion of the Canadian Tribute to Human
The Glebe Report owes Teena spe- Rights on Elgin Street near city hall concert of works by Jewish compos- daughter Devra (Grant Rice). She is
cial words of thanks for her work as was an important moment for Teena. ers at Dominion Chalmers Church, an also survived in Ottawa by nephew
an excellent proofreader, a writer of Commonly known as the Human interesting and varied program per- Murray Kronick (Judy Field), by two
articles and reviews and for her work Rights Monument, it was unveiled formed during Julian Armour’s Music sisters in Montreal and New York
as a member of the Board of Direc- by the Dalai Lama on September 30, And Beyond festival. respectively, Ruth Kronick and Ferne
tors for the Glebe Report, including a 1990. Nelson Mandela visited it in Some of you may have been to Cuba Purzak, and by nieces and nephews
stint as chair. Some among us know 1998 and expressed the hope that it with the Hendelmans for a musical across North America.
what a difficult job that was at the would “inspire all who see it to join holiday with Peter Dent’s group. Prac- Her enthusiasm for the arts, her
time. Everything was changing: the hands in partnership for world peace, ticing folk singing with a local Cuban community involvements and her way
paper was going from a cut-and-paste prosperity and equity.” Welcoming band and performing a concert at the of living life to the full and in accord-
operation to a computer-generated Nelson Mandela to Ottawa and pre- end of the week was a great pleasure ance with her values made Teena rich
publication (with both a print and senting him with an inukshuk was a and produced new bonds of friend- in friends and experiences. The ten-
an online version), operations were real thrill for Teena. See www.gleber- ship. More recently Teena took up tacles of her activism reached many
moved out of the Glebe Community eport.ca, October 9, 1998, page 1 for a playing percussion instruments with corners of our city and beyond.
Centre to a temporary location dur- photo and the story. the New Horizons Band and loved it. She will be missed by many.
ing the period of renovations and back Abbotsford seniors’ centre was one Especially the timpani!
in again to a new office. Meanwhile of her favourite places and Teena was In addition to her husband Walter, Elaine Marlin is a former editor of the
staff and volunteer roles were being a keen participant in many activities, Teena is survived by their daughter Glebe Report and a longtime friend of
redefined. There were many talented particularly Tai Chi, salon discussions Lisanne and predeceased by their Teena Hendelman.
people involved and many strong and the lecture series.
personalities to be considered and She was also enraptured by the arts.
accommodated. Her home is filled with art and pottery,
As editor during that period I appre- carefully selected and placed. When
ciated her assistance and good humour Walter and Teena celebrated their 50th COME ON,
immensely. I also was struck by her wedding anniversary, the celebration
way of playing devil’s advocate for our was unique. They invited friends to a
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