1932 – 2012
Hilde Houlding died of cancer at her home in Calgary in the early hours of January 1, 2012 at the age of 79. She is survived by her only daughter Tracy Houlding (Bruce Wilson) of Fredericton, N.B. and her two grandchildren, Evan and Megan Houlding. She was predeceased by her parents, Cornelius and Katharina (Hildebrand) Bergen; two brothers, Carl and Henry and six sisters, Mary, Catherine, Anne, Sally, Susan, and Elizabeth. Left to mourn her passing are four brothers, Peter, Cornelius, William and Elvin; two sisters, Helen and Trudy and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She will be missed by a wide circle of friends and colleagues.
Born in St. Joseph, Manitoba on January 11, 1932, Hilde graduated from high school in Steinbach and went on to complete a BA (1955) and a BSW (1956) at the University of Manitoba. After graduation, Hilde was employed as a social worker for the Province of Saskatchewan until moving to Calgary in 1960, where she was married briefly to Robert Houlding of Saskatoon. In 1962, she began what eventually became a half-century affiliation with Calgary Family Services. Starting as a counsellor and intake worker, she returned as a manager and then Director of Services after completing her MSW degree at the University of Manitoba in 1970. After her “retirement” in 2000, Hilde continued her work with Calgary Family Services as a board member and consultant. Dedicated to her community, Hilde also worked with the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society and sat on the board of the Vanier Institute for the Family.
Hilde was a woman of unflagging energy and generosity who treasured time with friends and family. She travelled extensively including trips to Israel with her sisters Trudy and Helen, to Mexico with Evan, to California with Megan and to Costa Rica with Tracy, Evan and Megan. She was an avid gardener who spent many long hours in her beautiful garden.
A Funeral Service will be held at Foster's Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Although Hilde was an avid gardener who loved flowers, in lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations in Hilde’s memory be made to Calgary Family Services, 200, 1000 - 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3M7. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.
FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL
FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM
Telephone: 403-297-0888
Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial
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