- Winnipeg Free Press Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday

HILDA BEATRICE SARAH BELL (SNELL)
Date of Passing: Mar 22, 2010
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryHILDA BEATRICE SARAH BELL (nee SNELL) It is with a lot of sadness in our hearts that we regret to inform you that our mother passed away on March 22, 2010, at Selkirk General Hospital in Selkirk, Manitoba. After the passing of her husband, Robert (Bob), in 2004, mom moved into Red River Place extended care home in Selkirk. She was 87-years-old and lived a long life and touched the lives of many people who came and went in her life. Hilda was the foster mother to 51 young infants when she was younger and adopted two of those children. Our mom was a very creative person who loved to spend hours crocheting. She also used to love to bake and made her wedding cakes, along with countless birthday cakes designed to the hilt! She could have opened her own bakery! Hilda and Bob would spend the weeks leading up to Christmas baking everything from dainties to fruitcake; and kids from across the neighbourhood knew the days of the week to show up when mom baked fresh bread and cookies. Their friends also loved the care packages they sent out each Christmas. She was a strong-willed woman that could scare people but also inspire them. Auntie Hilda your strength taught me a lot whether you knew it or not, said her niece Brenda. In her last few years of life, she spent most of her time with her eldest daughter Barb and her husband Roy, who took her on many adventures both in town and across the Prairies. She is survived by her family: Barbara and Roy, Arlene and Albert, Cathie and Mark, Bryan and Emily, and Kim. Along with her grandchildren: Ian, Dallas (Phil), Benjamin, Maggie, Katarina, Gabby, and Little Bryan; as well as many nieces and nephews but especially Brenda and her mom Virgie. We stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea. The setting sun tinted its white sails with a golden light. And as it disappeared from view, a voice at our sides whispered, She is gone. But the sea was a narrow one, and on the furthest shore, a little band of family and friends had gathered to watch in happy expectation. Suddenly, they caught site of the tiny sail. And at the very moment when we heard the voice say She is gone, a glad shout went up in a joyous welcome with the words: Yes! Here she comes! Hilda was predeceased by her husband Bob and her beloved daughter Dona; along with several in-laws and nephew Jake. Hilda was the last in her generation to pass on. At the request of our mom, there will be no funeral. The family would like to thank all the nurses and doctors who showed a great amount of compassion for our mom during her time in palliative care; and to our friends (especially Tracy and Layla) who came and lent their support during this time.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 27, 2010