Obituary of Hildur Caroline Black

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hildur Black on Sunday, May 1, 2005 in Calgary, AB at the age of 101 years. Hildur passed away quietly at the Father Lacombe Care Centre surrounded by her family. Hildur Caroline Nelson was born in Haugesund, Norway on July 24, 1903. When she was two years old, her parents left her in the care of her grandparents while they set out to establish a new life in New Westminster, BC. Hildur enjoyed the affections of her grandfather, a sea captain, who doted on her with endless love and brought her the world. When she was sixteen years old, her parents sent for her and much to her dismay she sailed to her family whom she didn’t remember and to a new country. She grew to enjoy her new home but proudly retained her heritage and language which carried her through until her passing. She regaled her grandchildren with stories of her flapper-girl exploits in the Roaring Twenties. In 1933, she married a handsome young Scotsman George Alexander Black. They eloped to Bellingham, WA against their parent’s approval and lived happily in Abbotsford, BC. On Halloween 1934, Hildur gave birth to their only child, Caroline Elizabeth who kept Hildur on the straight and narrow. They enjoyed a wonderful life in Abbotsford until George’s retirement from his own pharmaceutical business when they moved into a lovely home in the Kerrisdale district of Vancouver. Together they enjoyed travelling including visits to their homelands. Hildur was an avid and competitive world-class bridge player and she and George enjoyed spending time playing bridge with friends. George passed away in 1983 and Hildur lived in their home until 1998 at which time she moved into a retirement home. In 2000, she moved to Calgary to be closer to Carol and her family. Hildur loved spending time with her family and enjoyed watching the goings-on of her great-grandchildren. She was an extraordinarily strong woman with a zest for life and fun. She will forever be remembered for her strong will, quick wit, sense of humour, generosity, sage advice, and with her endless supply of mints she kept in her purse especially for her grandchildren. She is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law Caroline and Ben Berg; her grandchildren, Allen Berg (Erika) and Randi MacFarlane (Bruce); her great-grandchildren Grace, Laura and Patrick MacFarlane, all of Calgary, AB; her sister Randi Nelson of Vancouver BC; her niece Jean Worden (Bob) of Langley BC; as well as many other cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada, Norway and New Zealand. A Private Ceremony will be held in Vancouver and Hildur’s cremated remains will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean, joining George and travelling together once again. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff of the Father Lacombe Care Centre. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Hildur’s memory may be made directly to the Shriner’s Hospital For Children, Box 70038, Bowness Postal Outlet, Calgary, AB T3B 5K3 Telephone: (403) 239-0030. In living memory of Hildur Black, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E., CALGARY. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.