Doris Louise Hilder

HILDER (HATHAWAY-RENNIE), DORIS LOUISE WINNIFRED - August 3, 1924 - May 31, 2011 - On Tuesday, May 31, 2011 in Northwood Center, Halifax, at the age of 86 Doris Louise Hilder died peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Born August 3, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Harold Hathaway and Winnifred (Lavers) and stepdaughter of the late Charles Rennie. Doris Louise was predeceased by her husband Thomas Leslie Hilder and her sister, Donna Brockhurst. Doris worked with the Bank of Montreal in various administrative positions for over twenty-five years. Upon retirement, she went on to own and manage her own business, a popular Bed and Breakfast, Hildersham in Bridgewater. She was one of the originating directors of the South Shore Bed and Breakfast Association and was instrumental in assisting in setting standards for B&B’s within the province. One of her passions was living in our wonderfully diverse country of Canada and enjoying everything that was Canadian, including its politics. This passion began long before she became a Canadian citizen and a member of the Canadian Club. Her love of Nova Scotia, its music, art, history and culture was one she shared with so many friends, guests and visitors from all over Canada and from around the world. Along with raising a busy and active family and working outside the home, Doris was also involved in many volunteer activities, including teaching Sunday school and fund raising for the United Church of Canada. Her volunteerism also included working on political campaigns and election day activities. Doris also served as secretary for the Bridgewater Historical Society (which with her wonderful sense of humour she referred to as the Hysterical Society) belonged to the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society and was active in the IWK Kremesse and the YWCA “Gardens on Sunday” fundraising events. Loving the ocean, Doris enjoyed sharing her cottage and boat at Heather’s Beach on the Northumberland Strait, to the pleasure of family and friends. Doris and her loving husband Les Hilder had a wonderful 35 year marriage; raising a happy family, enjoying many friendships, and traveling the world. Doris took great joy in life and her interests were broad and varied including fine arts, collectibles, antiques, travel, reading, politics, and attending Neptune Theatre and musical concerts. She studied oil painting and took art appreciation courses at Mount Allison and Mount Saint Vincent universities. She was a lifelong learner. What greater legacy is there than to have left an imprint of unconditional love in the hearts and minds of every member of your immediate and extended family? Doris Louise Hilder was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She lived in a spirit of curiosity, good humour and thankfulness, treasuring her past but living today and looking forward to the future. Her enthusiasm for living was infectious. Doris is survived by her loving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: daughter Sharon (Helmut) Samland of Halifax; and sons, Stephen (Kathie) of Prince George, BC; Jim (Mary) of Bedford; and Tom (Bonnie) of Sackville; grandchildren Markus, Jonathan, Kristin and Leslie and her three precious great granddaughters, Madison, Lily and Max; stepbrother David Rennie (Sybil) Fredericton, NB; sisters in-law Kathryn Hilder, Fredericton, NB and Eileen McConville, Victoria BC; extended family, Frieda Samland, Hudson Ohio, Bertha Langille, Barss Corner, Kris Rasmussen, Halifax and her nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place from 2 to 4:00 and 7 to 9:00 PM on Friday, July 8, 2011 at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home on Windsor St., Halifax, NS. A memorial service celebrating Doris’ life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 9, 2011 in Cruickshank’s Chapel, Windsor Street, Halifax, with Reverend Carolyn Rushton officiating. A reception will be held at Cruikshank’s following the service. Interment in the Crossroads Cemetery, Valley, NS will be held at a later time with the immediate family in attendance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nursing or the Palliative Care Program, Northwood Incorporated, 2615 Northwood Terrace, Halifax, NS Canada B3K 3S5 or to a charity of your choice.