Hazel McCallion’s state funeral to be held Feb. 14

Funeral details have just been announced for the late Hazel McCallion, who died at the age of 101 last Sunday morning.

McCallion served as mayor of Missisauga for 36 years. She was first elected in 1978 and is the longest-serving mayor in Mississauga's history. She stepped down in 2014.

Nicknamed Hurricane Hazel" for her decisive action after the similar-named storm that battered southern Ontario in 1954, the shrewd politician served 12 consecutive terms as Mississauga mayor. Her critics dubbed her the Queen of Sprawl" as McCallion's time in office saw all of Mississauga, even the rural parts, open for business to developers.

A longtime friend of McCallion's, speaking on behalf of her family, told the Star she had died of pancreatic cancer.

Lying in Repose

Ahead of the funeral, McCallion will lie in repose at Mississauga City Hall at 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga beginning on Feb. 12 until Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

An online condolence book or a printed version will also be available.

State Funeral

A state funeral will be held at Paramount Fine Foods Centre at 5500 Rose Cherry Pl., Mississauga on Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. Members of the public are being advised to arrive no later than 10 a.m.

February 14 would have been McCallion's 102nd birthday.

There will be limited seating for Ontarians who wish to attend. The province says tickets will be available at Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

The funeral will also be livestreamed on the government of Ontario's YouTube channel. The memorial may also be viewed at the Living Arts Centre at 4141 Living Arts Dr, Mississauga. Ticket information will be available on the Living Arts Centre website at a later date.

Her family, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Premier Doug Ford, and Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie will attend the funeral.

The funeral will be broadcast by various media outlets.

Flags at half-mast

Flags will be flown at half-mast across the province on the day of the funeral, according to the province.

Ivy Mak is a team editor on the Star's breaking news desk, based in Toronto. Reach her via email: ivymak@thestar.ca