We are so pleased to share that our very own Dr. Margaret Denton was the incredibly well-deserving recipient of the 2025 City of Hamilton Senior of the Year Award, presented on Tuesday evening at Carmen’s Event Centre!
💐 About Margaret
For two decades, Dr. Margaret Denton has been the humble yet visionary leader guiding Hamilton’s transformation into one of Ontario’s most respected Age-Friendly communities. As a gerontologist deeply committed to equity and inclusion for older adults, Margaret has given her time, expertise, and heart to ensure every senior in Hamilton is valued, heard, and empowered.
Margaret’s journey began in 2005 around her kitchen table, helping to found the Hamilton Council on Aging (HCoA). What started as a small group, quickly grew into a strong, independent voice advocating for seniors’ needs and rights. She led key initiatives such as Let’s Get Moving, Portraits of Aging, and Age-Friendly Environment projects—programs that improved seniors’ mobility, social connection, and shifted public perceptions of aging.
Most notably, Margaret introduced the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities framework to Hamilton, making our community the first city in Ontario to adopt this transformative model. From 2007 to 2022, she led four major community plans shaped by the input of tens of thousands of older adults. She quietly but persistently made sure that voices from all older adults were included, bringing together seniors, public servants, researchers, community partners, and decision-makers to create real, lasting improvements in transportation, housing, accessibility, and community participation.
Margaret’s leadership reaches beyond Hamilton. As co-founder of the Southern Ontario Age-Friendly Network and longtime member of the Ontario Council on Aging Board of Directors, she has shared her expertise and success stories to create Age-Friendly communities across the province and beyond.
She continues to champion seniors’ voices through HCoA’s Communications Committee, coordinating monthly editorials in the Hamilton Spectator on timely issues affecting older adults.
💬 Words of Support
“Margaret leads with humility, purpose, and deep care for others. She listens deeply and brings people together to create meaningful, lasting change.” — Eleanor Morton, Former Manager, City of Hamilton Senior Services“Thanks to her vision and leadership, Hamilton became the first city in Ontario to adopt the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities model.” —Lori Letts, Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University“Margaret’s impact, influence, and legacy transcend Hamilton’s borders. She envisioned a community where all ages can thrive.” — Pat Spadafora, Kaleidoscope Consulting“Margaret was instrumental in establishing the Age-Friendly Movement in Ontario. Her achievements are exceptional.” — Lilian Wells, President, Ontario Association of Councils on Aging“Margaret taught me that meaningful work is built on relationships and that accepting support is not a weakness. She has exemplified true leadership through her collaboration, humility, and heart.” — Shelagh Kiely“Margaret’s deep passion and clear vision convinced me to support the City’s formal involvement in the Age-Friendly movement. This sparked a unique partnership model between the City of Hamilton, HCoA, and the Seniors Advisory Committee — a shared leadership approach that remains a foundation of Age-Friendly Hamilton’s success and impact.” — Tom Jackson, Councillor, Ward 6“Margaret has remained steadfast in her dedication to the development of an ‘age-friendly community’ in Hamilton and across Ontario. The networks and associations she helped form have flourished under her participation and guidance.” — Lucy Marco, Executive Director, Grand River Council on Aging“Margaret’s contributions are outstanding in her significant and lengthy volunteer service in Hamilton, her inspiration to others beyond Hamilton to take up age-friendly community aspirations, and her tireless advocacy for the wellbeing of older adults.” — Domenic Ventresca, Chair, Age-Friendly Niagara
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Hamilton Senior of the Year Award, we are honoured to recognize the outstanding volunteer legacy of Dr. Margaret Denton. Her unwavering, expert, and heartfelt leadership has left a lasting mark on our community.
Congratulations, Margaret — Hamilton’s 2025 Senior of the Year! Thank you for all that you have given to our city and beyond, and for your immense contributions to the Hamilton Council on Aging and the Age-Friendly Hamilton initiative over the past 20 years!
🎉 Additional Congratulations and Thanks
We also want to extend a special shout-out to Lisa Maychak, who has expertly organized the Hamilton Senior of the Year Awards for the past 10 years — celebrating the volunteer contributions of older adults across our city. We appreciate you, Lisa!
Congratulations to Peter Lesser, Board Member of the Hamilton Council on Aging and member of our Age-Friendly Hamilton Collaborative, who was also nominated for this year’s award!
And congratulations to all of this year’s award nominees and recipients — your contributions continue to make Hamilton a vibrant, inclusive, and caring community for all ages.