Hilda Margaret Petrina Hirtle

February 20, 2022, felt like the end of an era. With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of theone who has always been thoughtfully referred to by many names “Mother, Maw, Grams, Gramsey, and Gigi”. On this day Hilda Margaret Petrina HIRTLE – Born July 4, 1928, in Regina, Saskatchewan to (Anglican) Bishop Frederic STANFORD (4th Bishop of the Cariboo 1943 – 1953)and Mabel (Christie) STANFORD, passed away peacefully at Three Links Manor in Kelowna.

Petrina was predeceased by her parents as well as her ex-husband, Gordon HIRTLE (died June 25, 2005).

She leaves behind her son, Rick HIRTLE (Linda) and their children and their children’s children, Stephanie SCHINDELKA (Dana), and Molly and Finn. Also Megan HIRTLE (Matt McLANE) and Jack. She also leaves behind her daughter, Wendy OLINGER (Phil), and children and children’s children, Maya DROUIN (Bryan), Lexea, Kyenna, Destiny, Trinity, Amari, and Arnan; Kai TURCOTTE (Danielle), Fiona and Milo; Kiera SCHMALZ (Brett), Farrah, London, Von and Blue; and Shayla TURCOTTE.

Petrina was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. Her name came as a result of her father’s hope to have a son that they would name Peter. When she was born a girl they feminized the name and called her Petrina. At Normal School, they called her “Pete” and she hated that!!

Her dad, Frederic Stanford was an educated man from King’s College in London and was ordained in 1908. After curacies at All Souls, Grosvenor Park, Camberwell, South London, England, and St Chad’s, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, he was Rector of St. Peter’s, Regina until 1928. He was Vicar of Windermere until 1942 and in 1943 he was appointed to the episcopate and served as a Bishop for a decade.

Petrina fondly shared memories of her father reading her stories, as she grew older he taught her how to catch and clean fish, and how to play “catch”. Her Mom taught her about being thoughtful towards others and how to sew and cook. She was an amazing cook. She loved to experiment in the kitchen. Though this never stopped her from indulging in one of her favorites from time to time… a good old fashioned onion sandwich!

Getting an education was very important to her parents. She started grade one when she was only 5 years old. Throughout her schooling, she was always a very strong athlete and won many trophies in basketball, tennis and also for being the Athletic Rep on Student Council. She graduated from Grade 13 at the young age of 17, as she was too young to go to McGill University for a degree in nursing, she instead went to Vancouver Normal School for the one-year teaching program.

Her first full-time job as a teacher was in the small town of Oliver, BC and it paid her $130 per month! She lived with some other gals in a co-op of sorts and they thoughtfully referred to their home as the “Hen House”. For 2 1/2 years, she worked alongside these ladies honing her skills that would one day serve her as a highly sought-after elementary teacher, favoring grade 5 above all others. Petrina taught at a few different schools in Kelowna including Glenmore Elementary, Belgo Elementary and she retired from South Rutland Elementary, at the end of a long teaching career.

Petrina met Gordon and they were married on December 27 1949 in Kamloops, BC. Rick was born in Oliver, BC on May 25, 1951, and the family moved to Kitimat around 1953. Wendy was born in Kitimat, BC on May 21, 1954, in the tiny Kitimat hospital that had only 4 maternity beds. The family moved to Kelowna in 1959. Gordon furthered his career as a land surveyor/developer then became a commercial realtor.

After their marriage ended. Petrina went on to travel and explore a world that she had only read of. Greece was one of her favorite memories. The culture, the food, the people. She was mesmerized by its beauty! Her heart’s greatest desire in her later years was to see the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. She watched documentaries and read as many books as she could find. She had a plan to see where King Tut and Cleopatra had walked. She didn’t ever get there, but it was always her dream. I like to think that she caught a glimpse on her way by!

Although she had Essential Tremors into her senior years she remained active in many ways. Petrina lived happily in her home for 45 years. She planted gardens, tended her roses, and enjoyed the shade of her beautiful willow tree. She was involved in the community at the Water Street Seniors Centre and taught many classes on paper tole and beadwork.

Petrina will be remembered by all in many different ways. Loving, strong, independent, adventurous, intelligent, thoughtful, loyal, committed, and hospitable are just a few attributes that come to mind. She was a warrior and an overcomer. Her life was full, it was not always easy, but because of it, she has left a mark on each of our hearts and on the hearts of those who have known her. She will be missed, but her strength and grit have been taught to another generation! Her life has served us all, may we take what she has taught and give honor to her 93 years.

During the last visit with “Grams", she told two of her granddaughters she was “waiting on her angels”…the girls sat for some time, and upon leaving, they said to her “See you later alligator”…to which she replied…“in a while crocodile”!!!

On February 20, 2022, several of her family met together and sent fireworks into the night sky to say farewell to the one we loved. Breaking up the darkness with explosive lights as a show, we knew that she was now free.

Our family would like to thank all the staff at Three Links Manor in Kelowna. We appreciate the care and companionship you have given to our Mom, Petrina, over these last few years. Your efforts in caring for her have not gone unnoticed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to organizations that Petrina supported, Parkinson’s Society BC (Wendy’s SuperWalk 2022 fundraising efforts) (Please mark on your donation – receipt will be sent to you.) or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Hirtle family.