Hilda Melbourne

February 20, 1930 - June 3, 2017

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MELBOURNE, Hilda (nee Hall), of Owen Sound, passed peacefully on June 3, 2017 with her loving family present , in her 88th year.Predeceased by her husbands Len Hall and Ross Melbourne. Hilda is survived by her children Linda Carter (Philip) of Chatsworth, Wendy Garner (Robert Malott) of Waterloo, Brenda Holstock of Waterloo, and Len (MaryEllen Peace-Hall) of Arnstein, Ontario. 

Survived by her siblings Edmond Hall( Elda), Ruth Anne MacLeod and Carolyn Richardson. She is predeceased by her parents Fred and Della Hall (nee Hemstock), daughter Sandra,  sister Louella Daughen, and brother in laws Bill MacLeod and Larry Richardson. Dearly missed by 19 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Fondly remembered by her step-children Barb Medlar (Blake), Glenda Kasko (Doug) and Lori Dupreis (John).

 

Hilda was a special lady.Her children lament how strong, positive and remarkable their mother was. “She was my best friend, she was my rock”. At 28 years of age, Hilda was widowed with 5 small children aged 3 to 10 years. Hilda, who had never driven a car, would initially find work at Pinecrest and then the hardware store and eventually get her RNA in nursing to support her children thru those difficult years. Not only did she learn how to drive, she would go to ground school and learn how to fly a plane. She was fussy about her looks; she had her hair done every week and was an impeccable dresser. She kept her slim figure by being an avid walker. She often walked several kilometers to the Variety store with three dollars in hand to buy a lottery ticket. Hilda loved to go to Rama to try her luck, play bingo, euchre and do crossword puzzles. She would eventually find love again and remarry; she and Ross  and poodle Brandi, would travel from the East Coast to the West Coast. They loved to play cribbage and she and Ross played daily; the cribbage board was always with them on their travels. Hilda loved her TV programs, especially Lawrence Welk, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and the Price is Right. Spending time in nature , camping with the kids, feeding the birds and her bunny rabbits was the best. She was so well respected by her family and will be so deeply missed.

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A Celebration of Life for Hilda Melbourne will be held  at the GARAFRAXA HILL FUNERAL HOME, Chatsworth, on Wednesday, June 7, at 2:00 pm, with visitation one hour prior, Pastor Diane Dier officiating. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon at the Funeral Home following the service. Inurnment at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound. Special thanks to the staff of Rockwood Terrace, Durham for their excellent care. Donations to the Alzheimer's Society  would be greatly appreciated.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com.

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