An Extraordinary Family “The Dryden’s”
A Quiet Tribute at Park Lawn Cemetery
Today, I rode my bike to Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto and visited the grave of Murray and Margaret Dryden. As I stood there, I found myself reflecting on the recent passing of Ken Dryden and the extraordinary family he came from.
Murray and Margaret Dryden the parents to Ken, Dave, and Judy—but also the founders of Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), established in 1970. Through their efforts and the continued work of volunteers, SCAW has provided over 1.8 million bedkits to children in 36 countries. Remarkably, this global impact has been achieved without a promotional budget—spreading solely by word of mouth. Their original home at 28 Pinehurst Crescent in Etobicoke still serves as the heart of the organization.
“Sleep is like magical fuel for children. It has the power to make them feel better, think better and play better. Let’s give the magic of sleep to every child every night.”
— Dr. Reut Gruber
Though Murray, Margaret, Dave and Ken have all passed away, their legacy lives on—not just in their accomplishments, but in the kindness and commitment of their sister Judy and the countless volunteers who continue their mission.
The Dryden family reminds us what quiet compassion and purposeful action can achieve. Their story is a testament to how much good can be done without fanfare.
Ken Dryden died September 5, 2025. He was 78.
Dave Dryden died October 4, 2022. He was 81.
