Hilma Schaar Smith

November 16, 1925 ~ September 21, 2018

Pacific Grove

Hilma Schaar Smith, 88, a lifelong resident of Pacific Grove, and retired high school teacher and business owner, passed away peacefully at the Cottages of Carmel, following a period of failing health.

Mrs. Smith was born in Pacific Grove in 1929 and attended local schools. Following graduation from Pacific Grove High School in 1947, she married and spent several years living in the Canal Zone, Panama. Upon returning to California, she attended San Jose State University, where she earned both a teaching degree, and, later, a Masters’ Degree in Education, carrying on the tradition to inspire and educate young minds started by her mother, the late Clara Peterson Schaar, who in the 1930’s was the sole teacher at the lone schoolhouse in Little Sur when the whole family had to move about the hills by donkey.

After completing her formal education in 1955, Mrs. Smith began her own long teaching career, returning to Pacific Grove in 1959. For many years, she headed the Physical Education Department for Girls at Pacific Grove High, where her discipline and dedication to her students are still remembered to this day. She retired from teaching in 1985 to begin a new career as a business owner and major importer. Never one to remain idle, she traveled widely internationally as well as within the USA, often on the spur of the moment, heading out in her VW van or suddenly jumping on a plane to Kathmandu, Nepal, among dozens of destinations. This zest for adventure and reaching outside the box never left her.

Mrs. Smith was a long time member of the Pacific Grove High School Alumni Association, and was an active member of the Red Hat Society. Other memberships included the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, California Retired Teachers Association and the Monterey Civic Club. A devoted champion of her native Pacific Grove, she lived most of her life in several houses on Eardley Ave., the first house having been hand-built by her grandfather. She worked tirelessly to preserve the unique character and history of Pacific Grove.

Surviving are an elder brother, John G. Schaar (Dorothy) of San Jose; sons, Martin Meehan (Cecile) of Oregon and James Gustav Smith (Jennifer) of Prunedale; grandchildren, Max and Margot Meehan of Oregon; niece and nephew, Linda Schaar Stotts and Chris Schaar and several great- nieces and great-nephews.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her loving grandparents, parents and her brother, Peter Schaar, all of Pacific Grove, and, recently, her brother, James W. Schaar of Sacramento. Interment will be in the family resting site at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove.

A memorial visitation with family and friends will take place on Saturday, October 13 between the hours of 2 to 5 pm at The Little Chapel by-the-Sea in Pacific Grove. In lieu of floral arrangements, the family requests that donations can be made in Mrs. Smith’s memory to the Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewell, Pacific Grove, California, 93950. Please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign her guest book and leave messages for her family.