Hilda Jane Leverington

(nee Jakubowski) born in Grayson, Saskatchewan, Hilda is predeceased by her parents Anton (Tony) Jakubowski and Lillian (Ravine) Jakubowski, baby brother John, baby sisters Evelyn and Rose, and sister Irene. Brothers Arthur, Edward, Larry and David. Her infant son, Darrin (July 1961), son Dallas (Sept. 2022), grandson Jason (July 2024), her husband Robert (March 2004), and partner Glen (March 2016). Survived by and left to mourn are her children, Dale, Dean (Moe), Darryl, and Destiny (Graham). Her grandchildren, Freya (Arlen), Michelle (Steve), Kyle (Tanna), Kristina (Harley), Shawn (Elika), Kevin, Ashley, Colby (Lisa), Taylor (Josh), Hayden (Andrew), and Darren. Her great-grandchildren, Jace, Jayla, Sandy, Grant, Riley, Damion, Adrina, Eliana, Shah, Dylan, Sophia, and Felix. Hilda also leaves behind the last of her siblings, her brothers Philip (Helen), Richard and James. Her many nieces and nephews, very good friend Karen (Stu) and Val.

Hilda was the first child and daughter born to Anton and Lillian growing up in Grayson. Mom left home after High School and after taking a secretarial course, she moved to Calgary. In Calgary she roomed with her friend Jan, where they stayed life-long friends writing to one another over the years. Mom loved Calgary and watching the Calgary CFL football games, always cheering on Saskatchewan of course when they played Calgary. Mom stayed a life-long fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and that never wavered. While living in Calgary, mom joined the army reserve and worked for the Alberta Telephone Company. While working for the Alberta Telephone Company, mom met our dad and after they married, September 18, 1959, dad transferred to Edmonton where her first born son, Dale and son Darrin were born. After moving to Mayerthorpe, Alberta, mom had two more boys, Dean and Darryl. Once again, dad was transferred, and the family moved to Lloydminster where their fifth son, Dallas was born. Yep, our mom had five boys from 1960 to 1964! During mom’s time in Alberta, she did many things besides being a mom. While living in Lloydminster, mom worked for the local TV / Radio station as the receptionist, where she participated in local events. From Lloydminster, the family moved to Kamloops, BC where dad was transferred. Mom always said this was her favorite place the family lived and over many years while travelling out to Alberta, mom would stop in Kamloops to see friends she knew. While living in Kamloops, mom’s boys enjoyed playing hockey, baseball, and all sports. With four boys, they needed to be kept busy! In 1972, our mom was blessed to have a daughter after all those boys. Shortly after her daughter Destiny was born, the family once again, moved to Vancouver Island, moving to Victoria. Mom had a difficult time adjusting to Victoria, especially the first winter. She said “all it does here is rain”.

By 1974, mom became a single parent to her five children and worked to provide for them. This becoming the start of her long career working in Law Firms. In 1978 she met Robert Leverington, and in May 22, 1980 they married.

Mom and Bob moved to Duncan to start their new life together with her son Darryl and daughter Destiny. With this marriage, Hilda became step-mom to Bob’s three daughters. Mom, Bob and Destiny, after two years in Duncan, moved up to Lake Cowichan where mom over the years continued to curl as she had for many years. Until one day, when her and Bob discovered their love for bowling! Mom loved her 10 pin bowling and went to many tournaments around the Island, to Reno, and other places in the USA as a senior bowler.

For 11 years mom, with the helped of Bob, ran BJ’s Ice Cream. It was long days and hours from May to September, but mom enjoyed driving around the lake to the different campsites, meeting different people, and providing a service that made those in town and camping smile. After Bob’s passing in 2004, mom ran the Ice Cream business for one more season with the help of her son Darryl, and sold it after 2005 season.

The summers of 2006, 2007 and 2009 were spent in Ontario at her daughter Destiny and son in laws Graham’s house. She would get to enjoy her favorite Blue Jays play in Toronto, going to see her grandchildren play soccer, and travelling with them to Pennsylvania and Virginia Beach. Now mom could say she had seen both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

It was in 2010, after becoming friends with Glen Richardson, meeting him at the Lake Cowichan Senior Center where mom volunteered, that they, both widowers, found company and companionship with one another. They both loved to go to the USA to Bellingham to the Casino’s, road trips and visiting out in Saskatchewan. Glen put a huge smile back on our mother’s face after the loss of Bob, and that, we are Eternally grateful for. They had only six short years together, but those six years were some of mom’s best in her later years.

In 2018, mom sold her home in Lake Cowichan and moved to Duncan to Silver Park. Mom enjoyed her roses and gardens, and was now closer to the bowling alley. In 2021 mom stopped driving after being in a pretty intense car accident. She lost some of that independence, and relied on her son Dale, and daughter Destiny to take her shopping and to her appointments.

In September 2024, mom sold her house and moved to The Hamlets in Duncan. She had a lovely apartment and den/office and was just getting used to everything, meeting new people and walking lots as the building was no smoking. Mom, her daughter and friend Judi had planned a quick vacation to the Silver Reef Casino for November 4 – 7. Unfortunately on Tuesday October 29th mom went by ambulance to the Duncan Hospital and it was discovered her kidneys had failed. Mom accepted she was going to pass and her only wish was to know all her children would get along. Mom was able to say good-bye to all of us, and on Sunday November 3, 2024 she passed away peacefully, no pain and is now with her son’s and those she loved who passed before her.

Those we love can never be more than a thought away…for as long as there’s a memory, they live in our heart to stay.