Hilary Daun Nalezyty (Kannegiesser) passed away unexpectedly at TBRHSC on 16 December, 2025 one month from her 102nd birthday and a January 2026 hip-replacement. Daun was born 14 January, 1924, in Schreiber ON, and was the last survivor of 16 children born to Bernhard and Kathleen (Holmes) Kannegiesser. She attended primary school in Schreiber before coming to Fort William to attend Vocational High School. She subsequently worked at Canada Car as one of the ‘Rosie, the Riveter’ brigade.
At Canada Car she worked with Leonard Nalezyty, whom she knew from high school and who was waiting on completion of his Navy enlistment. They appear to have liked working together as in 1942 they embarked on a 66-year marriage that ended with Leonard’s passing in 2008. The end of WWII ended Daun’s riveting career and Leonard was discharged from the Navy. Daun began her new career as life-partner and later added ‘mother’ to her portfolio. They purchased a small house, on a large lot, on the outskirts of Current River. In the early years, Leonard’s communications technician job with Abitibi Paper Woodlands required him to be away from home frequently for days at a time. While he was away Daun expanded her normal full-up to-do list to include tasks such as house and yard repairs and maintenance, snow removal, garden and lawn management, general everything repairs, and all household finances. She and Leonard did everything as a well-organised team sharing responsibilities through their entire marriage.
As one of her ‘mother activities’ Daun would often be put upon to hit afternoon fly-balls and grounders to neighbourhood kids as warm-up for the evening’s Current River Little League game. During the same late 1950’s period, she shared Minor League Football coach duties with Leonard. She prepared line-ups, patrolled the sideline, and sent in or called-out plays. At game’s end she collected jerseys and sundry other gear, and readied them for the next game. Daun may still be the only woman head coach-equipment manager in Canadian football. She was a dedicated CFL fan. On her 100th birthday she received a video greeting from Blue Bomber CFL All-Star, Willie Jefferson, inviting her to come to Winnipeg to a Bomber game of her choosing and watch the play from the executive box. In earlier times Daun was a member of Port Arthur Ladies Curling Club and played on several teams representing the Port Arthur club in northwestern Ontario playdowns. Also, for several seasons she was the only woman skip amongst 16 teams in Sunday night Abitibi Curling.
Around 1960 Daun began part-time work at Sears’ catalogue office and eventually worked full-time for 20 years until her retirement. Beginning in the mid 1960’s she and Leonard vacationed annually in the Caribbean, finally settling on Barbados and Grenada as their chosen destinations.
Daun was predeceased by Leonard (2008) and all 15 of her siblings and their spouses. She is survived by sons Al (Maureen) Calgary; Reg (Lee-Ann) Thunder Bay; Granddaughters Lindsay (Steve) Calgary; Heather (Jay) Nanaimo; Hillary (Toronto); Grandson Erik (Winnipeg); and Great-Granddaughter Sawyer, (Calgary)
Cremation has taken place and in accordance with Daun’s instruction there will be no formal memorial service. There will be a brief private graveside service prior to internment at Mountainview Cemetery in spring 2026.
If so desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Underground Gym or Salvation Army, two of Daun’s favourite community service providers, would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
