Obituary of Hilda Whittaker

August 25, 1920 - Manchester, England

June 17, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Hilda Whittaker (née Lord) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the age of 102 years and 10 months.

Hilda was born in Manchester, England on August 25, 1920, before moving to Blackpool at an early age. Hilda and her husband Jim Whittaker immigrated to Canada from Blackpool in 1948 and settled initially in Scarborough, ON, where they hand built their first home using Jim’s woodworking training, and Hilda’s able assistance. They later moved to Galt, ON, and then to Sudbury, ON, in 1959. Hilda moved to Calgary, AB, in 1990 to be closer to her grandchildren after Jim passed away in 1985.

Hilda joined the Royal Air Force in 1941 and was stationed at RAF Valley in Wales during World War II. There, she was a wireless (radio) operator. This role was tasked with maintaining communications with fighters and bombers in Ferry Command that were being flown to England from Canada via Greenland and Iceland. Hilda married James Whittaker in Blackpool in 1940, a few weeks before Jim was posted to the Middle East with the RAF.

Upon moving to Canada, Hilda worked in bookkeeping positions in the Toronto area, and later held accounting and administrative roles with the Federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in Sudbury.

While living in Sudbury Hilda was instrumental in acquiring a family “camp” or cottage on Lang Lake (West of Sudbury) which was only accessible by boat. “Camp” provided many happy weekends and summer days for her, Jim, and the boys (including Sparky the dog).

Hilda retired from Indian Affairs in 1985 and took up golfing, becoming part of an avid ladies’ group, and went on several Caribbean cruises with Sudbury friends. A favourite activity was ballroom dancing, and she took great pleasure in performing in dance shows at the senior’s residences at which she lived in Calgary. Her interest in dancing developed from ballet at a young age.

Hilda is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law Peter Whittaker and Terry Johnston of Ottawa, ON, Roger and Cheryl Whittaker of Calgary, AB; three grandchildren, Marissa Whittaker (Adam Flynn) of Calgary, AB, Katelyn Whittaker (Adam Marchand) of Bedford, NS, and Scott Whittaker of Vancouver, BC; Great-grandchildren from Marissa Whittaker include Nolan and Madeline Flynn of Calgary, AB. Great-grandchildren from Katelyn Whittaker include Sawyer and Lachlan Whynot, and Kaylee and Kingsley Marchand of Bedford, NS.

Hilda is also survived by her nieces Jackie Whittaker and Barbara McGrath of Blackpool, UK, and Bamber Bridge, UK, respectively, Deborah Davis of Alliston, ON, and nephew Rodney Hughes of Toronto, ON.

Hilda was predeceased by her husband James Whittaker, younger sister Joyce Hughes, and her husband, Tom Hughes of Alliston, ON. She was also predeceased by an infant sister, Vera, when Hilda was a child. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Hilda Whittaker, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.