Obituary of Jan Hague

Jan Hague (nee Flood), the widow of Harold Hague, passed away courageously on October 21, 2021 after a ferocious battle with Covid 19, and its associated complications. She was 83 years old. Born in 1938 in Toronto, Ontario, Jan relocated to Regina, Saskatchewan in the late 1970s. She was a creative soul with immense talent. She left behind a legacy of artwork that will be enjoyed for generations to come, and the love of her family and friends, for whom she has left her indelible mark. 

Jan trained as an interior designer in the 1950s before she had to drop out to help raise her family. Her creative career began working as a merchandise designer for The Hudson’s Bay in Toronto. Jan relocated to Regina in the 1970s, where she continued working for The Hudson’s Bay, this time as a representative for Estee Lauder. She was known for her friendly, approachable nature, her natural beauty, her impeccable style, and porcelain-like skin. When Jan believed in something, there was no stopping her dedication to it. She became the top salesperson nationally, year after year, right up to her retirement in her mid-70s. They begged her to stay, yet she could no longer resist the (pun intended) pull to devote the rest of her days to her passion for rug hooking.

The Happy Hooker, as Jan jokingly referred to herself, practiced many artistic mediums throughout her life, including ceramics, needlepoint, and crochet. However, the one medium that became her magnetic north was rug hooking. Jan knew the instant she tried it that it was her expressive voice of choice. Her body of work is extensive and was exhibited in numerous shows and galleries across Canada. She explored many topics and styles in her work including, the inukshuk, Canadian folk art, decorative motifs, storybook animals, and the rural life of Saskatchewan. It elated her to no end to pass on her joy of rug making for others to adorn their walls with or warm their tired feet on.

Connecting with her birth family was a lifelong yearning for Jan. In her last few years she reconnected with the people she had always felt but had never known. Meeting her brother (a wish come true) and her extended family brought her gaiety and closure beyond measure. She was born into this world an orphan but departed a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and devoted friend. Jan is survived by her four children, Marina, Marc, Andre, and Dana; her three step-children, Colleen, Maureen, and Kelly; her twelve grandchildren, Austin, Shana, Matthew, Mitchell, Amelia, Jaimie, Alexandra, Rachel, Laura, Chris, Kevin, and Keith; and her two great-grandchildren Benjamin and Ethan. May she rest in peace with the knowledge that she was deeply loved and an inspirational force admired by many.

Eleven months prior to her passing, she lost her soulmate, Harold Hague. Jan and Harry each strengthened the bright light the other shone on the world for 45 years. They made each other bigger. Their support of the arts community and the downtown BID was reflected in the naming of the Hague Gallery at the Creative City Centre downtown. She was his queen, and he was her knight. May those that loved them take comfort in the knowledge that they now rest easy in each other’s embrace. United again, they shall continue their mutual dedication to watch over those they served and loved.

There will be no funeral service at this time due to COVID-19. Family and friends so wishing, may make memorial donations in Harold and Jan Hague’s names to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 001, 1820 Cornwall Street, Regina, SK S4P 2K2.