Hilary Weston, the Dublin-born businesswoman, philanthropist, and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, passed away peacefully in England on August 3, 2025, at the age of 83, her family confirmed. Known for her pivotal role in building retail giants Penneys and Brown Thomas, Weston leaves behind a legacy of business acumen, public service, and charitable impact.
Born Hilary Frayne in Dún Laoghaire in 1942, she began her career as a model before marrying Canadian billionaire Galen Weston in 1966. The couple moved to Toronto in 1974, where she became a Canadian citizen. Weston played a key role in the family’s retail empire, overseeing the early development of Penneys’ Primark brand and later serving as vice-chair of Holt Renfrew and a director at Brown Thomas & Co. Her vision also shaped Windsor, a celebrated residential community in Florida.
As Ontario’s 26th Lieutenant Governor from 1997 to 2002, Weston championed women, youth, and volunteerism, donating her salary to initiatives supporting at-risk youth. Her lifelong dedication to philanthropy culminated in the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, which has donated nearly $150 million to causes in healthcare, education, and the environment since 2021. She also led a record-breaking $250 million fundraising campaign for the Royal Ontario Museum.
Weston, predeceased by her husband in 2021, is survived by her children, Alannah and Galen Jr., and five grandchildren. Her family described her as “brilliant, brave, compassionate, and beautiful,” noting her devotion to family and community. A state funeral will be held in Toronto, followed by a memorial in the UK.
Tánaiste Simon Harris praised her as a “proud Irish-Canadian” who strengthened Irish-Canadian relations through the Ireland Fund of Canada, which she founded in 1979. Brown Thomas Arnotts also paid tribute, crediting her vision for their success.
Weston’s contributions earned her numerous honours, including the Order of Canada in 2003 and the Royal Victorian Order in 2015. Her memory will endure through her transformative work in business, philanthropy, and public service.
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