(Ratzlaff)
Hilda Alice Isaac (nee Ratzlaff) passed away peacefully on February 23rd at the Cascade Hospice, surrounded by her family and enveloped in love. She had just celebrated her 84th birthday.
Hilda was predeceased by her husband Robert (Bert) Isaac, parents Abraham and Justina Ratzlaff, her brothers Elvin, Ted and Leo, and infant sister Marie. She leaves her beloved family: daughters Kim Isaac (Brad Whittaker) and Lynn Isaac (Jennifer Thomson), grandsons Zach and Thom O’Brennan, others she embraced and adopted along her way, one niece, four nephews, and a number of dear friends.
Hilda was born on the family farm near Hodgeville, Saskatchewan on February 11th, 1926. She moved with her parents to Chilliwack in 1947, and worked for a number of years at the Sardis post office, where she met her future husband Bert. She left her job after marriage to devote herself to her daughters during their early years. When they were older she worked for both the IGA and Irvin’s Shop Easy, where she made many friends.
Hilda had a deep faith and a beautiful singing voice, which she shared through her church and through Sunday broadcasts on CHWK radio during the 1950s. She was a voracious reader, and instilled the love of books in her daughters. She loved to crochet and do needlepoint, and enjoyed nothing better than preparing meals for her extended family.
Hilda had a big heart with a limitless capacity to love. She was devoted to her daughters and grandsons, but her family expanded to include their partners and friends. She was a special aunt to her nieces and nephews. Even in her last days in the hospital and the hospice, Hilda’s beautiful spirit touched those who cared for her. She will be missed terribly by those she held in her embrace, but we are all the better and stronger for her love.
Hilda’s family would like to thank: Dr. Ian Kishi for his care, support and compassion over many years, but especially these last months; the staff of CGH NU 5 North, and especially Louisa, whose loving care of Hilda and her daughters will be long remembered; Cindy Nicholl from the palliative team; and the staff of the Cascade Hospice, especially Phyllis, who made Hilda’s last days so peaceful and beautiful.
A memorial tea for Hilda will be held on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 1 pm, in the tearoom at Henderson’s Funeral Home in Chilliwack. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Hilda to the Chilliwack Hospice Society or the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com