We are sad to announce that our Mom, Mabel Edith (Anne) Hilliar died on February 11, 2016. She was 97. She was predeceased by her husband Wilf (1993). Mom was the matriarch of our family, outliving all but one of the relatives of her generation in both the Hilliar family and her own Heywood family. She is survived by her cousin Stan in Ontario, nieces and nephews in England and Canada, her two sons, Ralph and Chris (Molly), and grandchildren Anna and Graham.
Mom worked as a Red Cross nurse during the Second World War and received the British Empire Medal for her service. She helped nurse our Dad (Wilf) back to health after he was hospitalized in Wales.
They immigrated to Canada in 1947 after marrying in Manchester England. They traveled to New York on the Queen Mary and then across Canada by train to Dad’s home on Salt Spring Island. The next year they came to the Comox Valley and bought a farm on Condensory Road where they lived until 1974. On Dad’s retirement they moved to Powerhouse Road and enjoyed various world travels with friends.
Mom had a great voice and sang in various choirs. She was active in the United Church Women, the Eastern Star and the War Brides Association. She continued to meet with war bride friends well into her 90’s and they gave her great comfort.
In Mom’s final years she lived at Casa Loma and The Views at St. Joseph’s. We want to thank her many caregivers from both establishments for their care and attention. We also want to thank Dr Woldnik, Dr. Tancon, Dr. Nap and nurse practioner Erica Maynard for their care.
A memorial tea will be held on Sunday March 13th from 2 – 4pm at the Florence Filberg Evergreen Senior’s Lounge in Courtenay. If desired, donations can be made to “The Views” at St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.