It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Menai Wardle (Hughes) nee Williams (July 31, 1931 – November 23, 2025). She was a gentle soul genuinely passionate about making the world better for everyone. Menai was born in London England where she spent her early years before moving to Wales. Menai had a full and fulfilling life. As a young mother, Menai moved to Canada in 1960 with her husband Alun Hughes and her two sons. Menai was a teacher of special needs children in Canada before setting off on another adventure, this time to Kenya, where Alun and Menai served as missionaries with the United Church of Canada from 1968 to 1974. Once back in Canada Menai returned to teaching and then ended her career in support of mission services for the United Church of Canada. Menai moved to Elora in 1985 with her husband Alun, where she lived for 40 years. She was active in many ways in her community and developed many dear and lasting friendships. She enjoyed the many activities Elora had to offer; hiking, swimming at the gorge, concerts, the arts, the Saturday Market. Menai was always interested and invested in what was going on. She was a participant! Menai is predeceased by her first husband Alun Lloyd Hughes and her second husband Kenneth Wardle as well as her late life partner Hugh Drew-Brook. Menai is survived by her brother Gwyn in Wales, her sons Gareth Hughes of Ottawa, Ontario, and his wife Janet, Glyn Hughes of Asheville, North Carolina and his wife Janice. Menai is also held in the hearts of her four grandchildren, Heather Burns, Alison McClurg, Colin Hughes and Brian Hughes as well as her seven great grandchildren, Julia, James, Lilah, Wallace, Ariana, Caden and Bennett as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families in Wales. Menai donated her body to the University of Waterloo (alma mater of her grandson Colin) so that a new generation of doctors could learn how a wonderful human worked. There will be no funeral or memorial service but a gathering in the spring of 2026 is in the planning stage. In lieu of flowers, donations to local charities would be appreciated, in particular: Bungalow 55 Community Lunch, Aboyne Rural Hospice or Elora Centre for the Arts.
Photo credit: Sophie Hogan