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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
WOODS, Hilma Augusta (née WORTHYLAKE), RN - 92, passed away October 5, 2022 at the Mahone Nursing Home, Mahone Bay, NS. Born in Brighton, Digby Co., NS, she was the daughter of the late Avard and Ingeborg (Haight) Worthylake. Upon completion of her high school diploma, Hilma trained at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ottawa, ON.
She received her nursing diploma (RN) in 1951 and was recruited by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). Her first posting was in Victoria, BC (CFB Esquimalt). It was here she met her future husband 'Des'. Having travelled from Galway, Ireland to Newfoundland himself, Desmond had also joined the Navy and been, coincidentally, posted to CFB Esquimalt. Their 'ships' were not meant to pass in the night and in 1953 were married. In the 1950's, neither married nor pregnant women could serve in the armed forces. In 1954, with a baby on its way, Hilma retired her naval career as Sub-Lieutenant, RCN.
Desmond's naval career continued for 28 years with Hilma as 'captain of the ship'. Her focus became the family. She volunteered both as a Guide Girl and a Cub Scout leader. Countless hours were spent at sports complexes watching 'the kids' take swimming lessons. Hard benches on soccer and baseball fields or cold seats in a hockey rink became her second home. She kept meticulous scrapbooks documenting everyone's activities. As the children began leaving the nest, Hilma's activities turned to her own interests.
She learned to swim at 50, became a 'Trekkie' with the discovery of Star Trek-The Next Generation and acquired a taste for 'sipping' the occasional Dubonnet.
In 1974, she began volunteering at the Admiral Digby Library and the Admiral Digby Museum in 1978. With approval of the museum's Historical Society, Hilma became the driving force behind the creation of the museum's Genealogy Department. Her interest in genealogy blossomed and became her life-long passion. Today, globally, people benefit from her tireless work when researching their family histories.
Hilma is predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Desmond (Galway, Ireland) as well as siblings Eileen Moore (Truro, NS), Cortland (Ida) Worthylake (London, ON) and Nola (Victor) Jeffrey (Digby, NS). She is survived by her children Sheilagh (Darvill Hamshaw) Martins River, NS; Brian (Diane Delorme) Halifax, NS; Eric (Cynthia Geisel) Whitby, ON; and Kevin (Margaret nee Devries) Halifax, NS. She is survived by grandchildren Trevor and Nicki (Eric), Taylor and Alexandre (Brian-Diane) and Baily (Kevin-Margaret).
The Woods family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the Staff of the Mahone Nursing Home for the love, care and support provided over the past five years. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will held Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 10 a.m. in the chapel at J. A. Snow's Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Hilma's ashes will be placed in the 'Last Post' Nova Scotia Veterans Columbarium, Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, for eternity. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Genealogy Department @ www.admiraldigbymuseum.ca or the Heart and Stroke Foundation @ www.heartandstroke.com
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