Lydia Hirch was born on March 12, 1920 in Poland. In 1941, she married Ferdinand Hirch and the following year they had their only child, Waldimar. In 1945, she was forced to flee Poland while Ferdinand continued to serve in the military. For one year, Lydia lost all contact with her husband but they were reunited when Ferdinand was wounded. They immigrated to Winnipeg in 1951and then moved to Chilliwack to establish a bakery in 1961.
Their son, Waldimar married Herta and became a missionary to Argentina and then Brazil. Within the next few years, Lydia and Ferdinand were blessed with 5 grandchildren and today, they have 7 great grandchildren as well.
In 1988, Lydia had open- heart surgery and within the last few years, she once again suffered from heart trouble. Ferdinand lovingly took care of Lydia until she was admitted to Chilliwack hospital with a case of Pneumonia and a colon infection. She passed quietly into the presence of the Lord on Friday April 7 at 1:30 am. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 13, 1:30 pm at Central Pentecostal Assembly, 9535 Williams St. Donations can be made to Maranatha Missionary Society for the on going work in Brazil.