Ceremony to Honour Fern Blodgett Sunde on September 19, 2025

Cobourg, ON (September 15, 2025) – The Cobourg Museum Foundation and the Cobourg & Area Museum invite community members to attend a remembrance ceremony to honour Fern Blodgett Sunde on Friday, September 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the Senses Garden at Victoria Park (southeast corner of the park).

Fern Blodgett Sunde, who was raised in Cobourg, became the first Canadian woman to serve as a wireless radio operator at sea during the Second World War. In 1943, she became the first woman to receive the Norwegian War Medal - awarded for her accomplishments and courage during 78 transatlantic crossings aboard the Norwegian merchant ship M/S Mosdale in the Battle of the Atlantic.

In 2020, a bronze statue by renowned Canadian sculptor Tyler Fauvelle was unveiled in Victoria Park to honour and pay tribute to Fern and all Canadian naval members who served during the Battle of the Atlantic. On May 8, 2025, a twin statue, also created by Fauvelle, was unveiled in Farsund, Norway — the town Fern called home after the war until her passing in 1991.The Town of Cobourg is honoured to welcome a Norwegian delegation to commemorate the enduring bond between Farsund, Norway, and Cobourg— a connection united by twin statues and a shared commitment to remembrance. 

Remembrance Ceremony
Victoria Park, Senses Garden (southeast corner of the park) | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This year on the anniversary of her passing, a ceremony will be held to honour Fern Blodgett Sunde and the relationship between Farsund, Norway, and Cobourg, Canada. The Fern Blodgett Sunde Statue Committee will be joined by Fern’s relatives from Norway at Victoria Park’s Senses Garden.

Reception to Follow
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133, 135 Orr Street | 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Cobourg Legion Branch 133.

All members of the community are welcome to attend.

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