Dean Otto and his wife Jeanine Otto with their daughter Hannah at Maddy's Gala, held in memory of five-year-old Maddy Otto, who passed away at Roger Neilson Children's Hospice in 2007. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Maddy’s Gala: How Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice helped the Otto family find their “new normal”
What makes Maddy’s Gala always tug at the heartstrings is the way it honours a sweet little girl who passed away nearly 18 years ago — without ever getting the chance to grow up like the rest of our children have, are or will.
While the evening is action packed with fun, food and fabulousness, don’t be mistaken: five-year-old Madison Karolina Otto continues to be missed by those who loved her. Every. Single. Day.
The 16th annual Maddy’s Gala, held in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, returned Saturday to the Brookstreet Hotel, looking better than ever with this year’s theme of bow ties and pearls. The sold-out crowd of 467 attendees helped raise almost $150,000, bringing the cumulative total to more than $1.7 million.
Each year, Maddy’s parents Jeanine and Dean Otto, along with their now-grown daughter Hannah, give back to Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, a place that brought their family so much comfort during and after their most difficult time. And they don’t do it alone; they have a dedicated volunteer committee alongside them.
The organizing committee for the 16th annual Maddy’s Gala consisted of, from left, Laurie Waara, Tricia Scott, Brittany Smith, Charlene Knight, Jessica Crouch, Hannah Otto, Anne Browne (behind), Jeanine Otto, Dean Otto, Joanne Birmingham and Bob Ghosh. who’s in charge of community engagement at CHEO Foundation, hold up the cheque revealing how much money was raised: $149,713.21 for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The evening was emceed by CTV News Ottawa anchor and Newstalk 580 CFRA host Patricia Boal, who praised both Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice for its compassionate support of grieving families, and the Otto family for courageously sharing their personal story.
Attendees included Business Council of Canada president and CEO Goldy Hyder (his daughter Alaina was volunteering that night), Ottawa Senators assistant coach and former team captain Daniel Alfredsson and former Sens players and retired NHLers Mark Borowiecki and Zack Smith, the latter of whom flew in from Calgary with his wife Brittany Smith, who’s a volunteer on the gala organizing committee. Among their guests was actress Annie Murphy of Schitt’s Creek television fame.
Zack caught the Senators’ winning home game Friday night while in town. “Ottawa’s still my number one team for sure,” he told CiTC.
Maddy’s Gala emcee Patricia Boal with her son, Jake Wilson, at Maddy’s Gala held at the Brookstreet Hotel on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Brian Morris, formerly with the Ottawa Senators hockey club, and his wife Annie Morris with Ottawa Senators assistant coach and former team captain Daniel Alfredsson and his wife, Bibbi Alfredsson, at Maddy’s Gala in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The after-party was hopping at Maddy’s Gala held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, David Baron, president and CEO of Cowater International, and Alison Slack, with CHEO Foundation board member Karen Sparks, executive director of Wesley Clover Parks, and her husband, Andy Sparks, with Royal LePage Team Realty, at Maddy’s Gala held at Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, and his wife, Fatima Hyder, with Supriya Bhargava, with Royal LePage Performance Realty, and Dr. Anuj Bhargava at Maddy’s Gala held at Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The 16th annual Maddy’s Gala raised $150,000 for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, which is located on the grounds of CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario). Photo by Caroline Phillips
Former Ottawa Senators player and retired NHLer Zack Smith and his wife, Brittany Smith, at Maddy’s Gala held at Brookstreet Hotel on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Former Ottawa Senators player and retired NHLer Mark Borowiecki and his wife, Tara, at Maddy’s Gala held at Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Maddy’s Gala committee consists of, back left to right, Charlene Knight, Bob Ghosh, Dean Otto, Laurie Waara, Tricia Scott and, front left, Joann Birmingham, Brittany Smith, Jessica Crouch, Jeanine Otto, Hannah Otto and Anne Browne on the far right.
At the podium, Jeanine reflected on the time leading up to July 2007 as a period when “our family was perfect”. Until suddenly, it wasn’t. Unexplained symptoms appeared out of nowhere, sending Maddy to the hospital. Tests revealed an inoperable tumour on her brain stem. Tragically, doctors were right when they told her parents their little girl had only about 48 hours to live.
Maddy passed away peacefully at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice on July 17, 2007, on a king-sized bed that one can only imagine was surrounded by the family and friends who went out of their way to be present.
The family sought bereavement counselling through Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, named after the popular Ottawa Senators assistant coach who also lost his life to cancer. “We were able to find our new normal as a family of three,” said Jeanine.
By 2008, the Ottos hosted their first Maddy’s Gala as a way of channeling their sorrow into support for others. “We needed to find a way to give back to the place that made Maddy’s passing so peaceful and to the place that saved us, ” Jeanine told the room.
“I truly think we are the people we are due to the love and support that we received from [Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice] during and after Maddy’s passing.”
A photo montage of Maddy’s first five years was played, set to Chris Daughtry’s song Gone Too Soon. There was a warning to keep tissues handy. It was advice Jane Spiteri, a long-time volunteer at the hospice, was glad she followed. She was hosting a table with her husband, Chris Spiteri, from sponsor Spiteri & Ursulak Lawyers.
Other supporters included gala committee volunteer Joann Birmingham and her husband Jeff Birmingham, who regularly donate tickets to their box for Sens games, concerts, and other events, to the children’s hospice.
From left, Rebecca Spiteri, Jeanine Otto, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice volunteer Jane Spiteri and her husband, Chris Spiteri, managing partner of sponsor Spiteri Ursulak Lawyers, at Maddy’s Gala held at Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Attendees of Maddy’s Gala arrived at Brookstreet Hotel to see this impressive ice sculpture on display. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice CEO Megan Wright and CHEO Foundation president and CEO Steve Read at Maddy’s Gala, held at Brookstreet Hotel on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The three-course dinner, featuring beef short rib, was also filled with joyful moments, including the Otto family’s grand entrance, set to the Black Eyed Peas’ upbeat anthem I Gotta Feeling. They were welcomed with a standing ovation.
There were prize-winning activities, a post-dinner dance party. It didn’t take for the generous candy bar to get cleaned out. Kudos to volunteer co-organizer Charlene Knight for donating the WestJet tickets, that she won in the balloon raffle, back to the live auction, where they sold for $4,500. The crowd cheered with excitement every time it was mentioned the Ottawa Senators had made the playoffs.
Non-profit leaders included CHEO Foundation CEO Steve Read; Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation; and Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice CEO Megan Wright, who talked about the important work the organization is doing to help children and their families.
“We provide a safe space for families to find comfort, create lasting memories and experience the moments of joy and connections amidst the most difficult of circumstances,” said Wright.
Funds raised from this year’s gala will help expand the grief services offered at RNCH, which is hosting its first-ever young grievers camp at Christie Lake Kids this June. “Grief is complex, it’s isolating and incredibly challenging, and having the right support in place can help people cope and heal,” said Wright.
She was joined by members of her board, including chair Michelle Bouchard, partner at Hendry Warren Chartered Professional Accountants (HWCPA); past chair Ian Hendry (a retired founder of HWCPA); and directors Paul Lalonde (Emond Harnden LLP), Chris Packman (Jennings Real Estate), Megan Wallace (Mann Lawyers) and Janet Wilson (Export Development Canada). Wilson’s eight-year-old son, Patrick Hadden, spent his final weeks at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice before passing away from childhood cancer almost 19 years ago.
Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice board member, from left, Ian Hendry, Michelle Bouchard (chair), Megan Wright (CEO), Chris Packman, Megan Wallace and Paul Lalonde at Maddy’s Gala, held at Brookstreet Hotel on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Dean Otto with Canadian actress Annie Murphy, who played Alexis Rose in the sitcom Schitt’s Creek, at Maddy’s Gala held at Brookstreet Hotel on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in support of the Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Auctioneer Stewart James sold off a limited-edition Connor McDavid autographed print at Maddy’s Gala, donated by Ottawa-based professional sports artist Tony Harris. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Joann Birmingham, Jacqueline Belsito (Senators Community Foundation) and Jeff Birmingham at Maddy’s Gala, held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Carol Roy, left, who was the eventual winner of the heads or tails contest is pictured waiting with anticipation to learn whether she won. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Paul McCarney, president of dsq Plumbing and Environmental, with his sons Kyle McCarney (left), regional manager in Alberta of Inflector Environmental Services, and Troy McCarney, who also works for Inflector Environmental Services in Ottawa as a project manager. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jesse Papastavros from Whalesbone was seen shucking oysters during the cocktail reception at Maddy’s Gala, held at the Brookstreet Hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From major sponsor Canadian Tire were, from left, Mary-Lou Vandervaart, Ray and Kim Engelbertink, Stuart Vandervaart, Cliff Hammell, Jeanine Otto (co-founder of Maddy’s Gala), Valerie Hammell, Jason and Marissa Yung, and Dean Otto (co-founder of Maddy’s Gala). Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, emcee Patricia Boal, CTV News Ottawa anchor and Newstalk 580 CFRA host, with Peter Angione, director of news and information programming at Bell Media in Ottawa, and CTV News Ottawa multi-skilled journalist Natalie van Rooy at Maddy’s Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From back left, Natalie McPhedran, Shannon Mead, Stacey Santaguida from sponsor Vittoria Trattoria, Lori Tierney-McAlpine, Brittany Smith (co-organizer of Maddy’s Gala) and, from front left, Renee Riis, Krista Nangle, Tara Campeau and Lori Egan. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, director Nahal Yazdani, CEO Megan Wright, Stephanie Poirier, manager of quality and patient safety, and volunteer board member Janet Wilson at Maddy’s Gala, held at Brookstreet Hotel in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Mark Borowiecki pictured moments before being eliminated from a fun game of Heads or Tails, where participants guessed how a coin was going to land by putting their hands on their heads or bums. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, BMO charitable and foundation executive Danielle Robinson — who used to lead the Ottawa Senators’ charitable foundation — Anna Willman and Wayne Mullett, at Maddy’s Gala held in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The place settings for Maddy’s Gala featured an evening program with a photo of five-year-old Madison Otto, in whose memory the gala was held. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Otto family, surrounded by fellow organizing committee members, hold up the cheque revealing how much money was raised: $149,713.21 for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel and RBC.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca
SHARE THIS STORY
Stay in the know
Get stories + event highlights from the capital delivered to your inbox.
