On the morning of March 24, Ottawa friends of David Malone took part in a life tribute to him in the beautiful Sacred Space of Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.
IDRC’s fifth President (2008–2013) passed away last November in Victoria, BC. Over 90 people turned out, including five former IDRC Vice-Presidents and Presidents. At least two former Governors of IDRC’s Board were there, as well as IDRC’s current President and two of her Vice-Presidents.
The roster of speakers, coordinated by former diplomat emeritus Louise Fréchette, was truly impressive, each bringing a different perspective on David. The final presentation was a video recording of David recounting to a friend how he was awarded and chose to receive Japan’s highest honour that can be bestowed to a foreigner.
A website has now been launched, with a link for any of you who wish to share your memories: davidmalonememories.ca.
The program of the tribute event is presented below.
A TRIBUTE FOR DAVID MALONE
Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 10 a.m.
The Sacred Space
Beechwood Cemetery
Ottawa, Canada
David Malone was a skilled and thoughtful diplomat at the service of his country, an innovative leader at the United Nations, and a noted scholar of international affairs.
Each of these careers would have satisfied an ordinary person, but David was the opposite of ordinary. He reached the heights of all three professions in too short a life. and he had a great deal more to give. Had he been allowed to do so.
The fact that we are all here today is testimony to the fact that he was more than the sum of his accomplishments. He was also an extraordinarily loyal friend, a steadfast comrade, the source of wise counsel, a committed mentor, and given to frequent random acts of kindness. He was also a complex person, with many interests in many sides to his personality.
Memorials to David have taken place elsewhere already. This is the occasion for family and friends to share their recollections and in the process help us all to celebrate the
extraordinary life of this exceptional man.
Presenters
Welcome
George Haynal
Master of Ceremonies
Louise Frechette
Speakers
Justine Malone
Ben Rowswell
Bob Bothwell
Jim Wright
Rohinton Medhora
Jim Mitchell
Bob Rae
With thanks to
Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa
Nicolas McCarthy
AmbCanada
Karin Reinecke
The Canadian Foreign Service Alumni Forum
Angela Bogden, Lillian Thomsen, Gilles Breton
Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers
Dan Whelan
IDRC Alumni Association
Bill Carman
The United Nations University Centre
Christina McElwaine
Douglas George for Technical Services
Organizers
George Haynal
Elizabeth Heatherington
Bulletin 80
April 2026