History Board Members Our Purpose Application Information
Grant Distributions Photo Gallery Articles & Recognition
History
of the Blennerhassett
Family
Foundation
The Blennerhassett Family Foundation was established in 1998 by Hazel
Moira Blennerhassett. Hazel is
married to Ryon Claude Johnston, who together with her two children, Jennifer
MacVicar and Christopher Flint supported her decision to establish a charitable
foundation.
Hazel was born in London, England, the second daughter of Terry and
Peggy Blennerhassett. She pursued her education at St. Paul’s Girls’ School,
and the London School of Economics, graduating with a B.Sc. (Economics, Honours)
degree. In 1969 Hazel emigrated to
Canada and has made her home in Manitoba since then.
Over the next 25 years Hazel worked in a variety of administrative and
management positions with the United Church of Canada and several social service
agencies. Her interest became
focused in the field of grant-making for non-profit organizations; she served six
years on the Family Services Panel of the United Way of Winnipeg, and was with
The Winnipeg Foundation for four years, staffing the area of Human Services.
She was a consultant to The Thomas Sill Foundation, and served on the
granting panel of the Manitoba Council for International Co-operation funding
overseas development.
The Blennerhassett Family Foundation became possible when Hazel was able
to liquidate her interest in English Houses Ltd, founded in 1929 by her
grandfather, Richard Ellis Fenwick. Born
in the late 1880’s, Richard Fenwick grew up in the National Boy’s home, and
had to make his own way in the world. Blessed with great energy and enthusiasm, he pursued careers
building player pianos and aero planes before moving into property development in
London. In later life he was a well
known figure in the City of London and a dedicated Mason. He was a very generous man, and would have been delighted to know that
his efforts had resulted in a Family Foundation.
Richard Fenwick had one child, Peggy, who graduated from the London
School of Economics with a Commerce degree in 1939. Peggy married Terry
Blennerhassett, a young doctor serving in a Field Ambulance Unit during the War.
Terry and Peggy settled in London and had two daughters, Maureen and
Hazel. Terry eventually became head
of dental surgery at Charing Cross Hospital, while Peggy worked with English
Houses Ltd. She eventually inherited the company, and managed it well until her
own death in 1977.
The family has continued to operate English Houses, but with Hazel and
her children permanently settled in Canada it was agreed in 1998 to liquidate
their half of the company. The establishment of the Blennerhassett Family
Foundation gives Hazel an opportunity to continue her interest in grant-making
and to demonstrate her commitment to the use of endowment funds to address
society’s needs.