In Memoriam: Judy Hagen

Judy and her dog Pepper, 1996. Comox Valley Echo Collection at the CDM

The Courtenay and District Museum Society lost a long-time leader and friend with the passing of Author, Researcher, Judy Hagen on July 24, 2026.

Since the 1980s, Judy had served the community and museum society through her writing, research, and leadership. Feisty and spirited, a pistol in the best way, Judy was also the calm in the eye of political winds she experienced in her life with her late husband, the Honourable Stanley B. Hagen.

For Judy, when working with the museum, no matter what the challenge, there was always a silver lining. Forward thinking, Judy was a main driver of the museum society’s purchase of the 1925 Post Office building for museum expansion in 2000 and for the Provincial Heritage Site designation of the Puntledge elasmosaur under the Heritage Conservation Act in 1989.

Judy’s obituary can be found here.