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HILDA RUTH COTTON (CROCKER)
Born: Apr 02, 1931
Date of Passing: Mar 11, 2020
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HILDA RUTH COTTON
(CROCKER)
Not only predeceased by her first husband Vic, and first son Allan, but also her sister Freda, brother Bruce, and both her parents - Edith Louise Crocker (Nist) and Herbert George Crocker. She leaves behind her children, Edith (Dave), Victor (Jennie), Wendy (Kerry), Janice (Murray), and her 11 grandchildren - Garrett, Aaron, Jordy, Christopher, Justin, Richelle, Kelton, Alex, Tyler, Ashlynne and Skyllar. She also leaves behind the last member of her Crocker family, her brother Donald. The most recent additions to the family include her two great-grandchildren - Hixon and Emin who will enjoy the stories of their beautiful great-grandmother.
On April 2, 1931, Hilda Cotton (Crocker) was born on the farm in the Minitonas area of Manitoba. Mom shared many stories of her younger years which were always related to her family life on the farm. One of her enjoyable moments of life was when she took a year off to teach grades K to 12 in a one classroom country school in Swanford, Manitoba from 1948 to 1949. She did this for a year before taking her nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital from which she graduated from in 1953.
While in training Mom met the love of her life, Vic Cotton, while caring for his mother as a nursing student. They fell deeply in love and were married in Minitonas in 1953. They had five beautiful children. Her love for Dad never faulted even while Vic was sick. He had such good nursing care from her as he endured the last year of his life with pancreatic cancer. Hilda made sure that Vic died peacefully at home in her care.
Mom's compassion never slowed down and her zest for life continued. She remarried and once again in her loving way, provided love and quality nursing care to her second husband (Merle Gunnlaugson) who was diagnosed with cancer and died four years later.
Hilda lived a life of compassion and caring which was evident not only in her life as a nurse but also as a wife and a mother. She worked numerous years at the Winnipeg Women's Hospital as a nursing supervisor in the nursery and then as a staff educator at Fred Douglas Lodge. As an advocate of lifelong learning Mom took her nursing home management program in 1972, certificate in adult education in 1975 and her advanced certificate in gerontology in 1981. Her areas of nursing expertise continued at Seven Oaks General Hospital as a general duty nurse in Geriatrics and Red River Community College where she worked as a Health Care Aide instructor until 1995. Hilda was a member of the Palliative Care program and an active volunteer for the Winnipeg Hospice Society for many years.
Somehow during her years as a full time nurse, and full time mom and wife, she found the time to volunteer regularly as a Brown Owl in Brownies and Girl Guides. She volunteered with St. John's Ambulance teaching first aid and home nursing and even did arts and crafts with school age children with Winnipeg Parks and Recreation. Every open Sunday she would head to Harstone Church to volunteer as a Sunday school teacher. This was after she prepared our Sunday morning biscuits which have become family tradition. With all this going there was always time for camping, cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening, bird watching, which were all actively shared with her family and from which we will continue to pass on to our kids. So many great memories! Mom loved everything about nature. We will never forget our many family camping trips which were always full of adventure. Mom was forever removing raccoons and skunks from the camp garbage bins and not once getting sprayed! She taught us all how to catch snakes and frogs which has all been shared with her grandkids. Her unique respect and love for nature has been passed down for sure! Her sense of humour always seemed to come out in very unique situations. You would often here a scream from the bathroom as she would place spiders under the doors to liven things up.
When Mom and Dad eventually left their home on Ingersoll Street in Winnipeg, they headed to Paradise Village in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. Her volunteering remained active as she continued her palliative care in Ste. Anne and Steinbach. Mom was active in the Paradise Village community where she regularly worked on their newsletter on the article 'birds of the village'. She was a volunteer driver for the community, helping people get their groceries and get to their appointments. She started a singles club after her first husband Vic, passed a way. She even started the first prostate support group in the Steinbach area.
She devoted her life to caring and was an advocate for excellent senior care. In her memory, please, continue to love, volunteer and show you care. As a family she has taught us to advocate for people and to love your seniors.
There is so much to say about our mother and if you have ever known her you would say you knew an angel.
Thank you to everyone who provided care and did their best to enrich her life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to AB1 Unit at Riverview Health Centre to help enrich the life of other seniors.
As per Mom's wishes and her prearranged funeral arrangements, Mom has been cremated. There will be a private family service on Vic's birthday in August.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 25, 2020
Condolences & Memories (13 entries)
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On behalf of the WGH/HSC Nursing Alumni, we extend our sincerest condolences to Hilda's family and friends. Hilda was a treasure to our nursing alumni, her sense of compassion, zest for life and participant as an alumni member., she will be missed. - Posted by: MARIAN Ulyatt (WGH/HSC Nursing Alumni Friendship Convenor) on: May 04, 2020
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My condolences to the Cotton family. An absolutely amazing lady. Many great memories growing up with the family in the west end. - Posted by: Derek McWha (Friend) on: Apr 29, 2020
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From the ages of 7-10 (1967-1970) I have nice memories of Victors' Mom (Hilda....or Mrs. Cotton to me) always baking (house smelled great) and having sleepovers. She seemed like the perfect Mom to me! - Posted by: dennis Rose (Friend of her son Victor) on: Apr 28, 2020
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Hilda was the first person we met when we moved to Paradise Village. A beautiful lady, a friend , we lived right across the street from Hilda. Had so many great conversations with her re: flowers, always new what birds were in our yard. Will always cherish her friendship, and of course Little Bear!!!!! A great lady Wendy and our deepest sympathy to all the family. - Posted by: Noreen Watt (Friend) on: Apr 27, 2020
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Wendy..I am so very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I treasure the memories I have of working with her..she taught me so much! She was so brilliant, patient, kind, respectful and witty! She was so much fun to be around...her big smile and humor was contagious. She truly was one amazing lady that will always have a special place in my heart. You are blessed with many of her wonderful traits...she was lucky to have you for a daughter!...My deepest sympathy to you and your family and to let you know I'm thinking of you. Love, Lorna - Posted by: Lorna Moore (friend) on: Apr 27, 2020
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As families evolve through the years there's a lot of precious memories we wish to impart and share with those we considered influential in our lifetime. Our mothers, fathers, neighbours and a great many other people set the tone and influenced us in such a way that we became the adults we are today. I can clearly remember the interactions we had as kids and our parents as adults for it was a prosperous period in most peoples lives. Our dear mothers were both hard workers and the very best people as they shared a common goal in raising their families in the best way they could. Your family was what appeared to be a beehive of activity with pets galore and much the same open door policy for fellow kids to always be most welcomed in either of our homes. As years passed and everyone started their own families and we all headed off in different directions the last we spoke was when I drove up behind you some years back as you all were stopped in front of the house on Ingersoll and we drove down the street towards Notre Dame and pulled into the Salisbury House parking lot and caught up on old hat and chatted a bit. Mother is doing very well and still with us although three years younger and she now resides at Betalstadur 55+ at Erin and Sargent. We lost father in 2013 as he succumbed to Alzheimers and we've missed him a lot as we're sure you have as well after your father passed. Carrying on the tradition I've planted roots in the old Peters residence which I purchased in 1998 on the north side next door to old Mr. Fergusson now also since passed. The neighbourhood's not changed too much and old diehards like myself plan to stick around for a bit yet. Our very sincere condolences towards your entire family on the passing and loss of your dear mother and always know you all are welcome to stop in for a hot or cold beverage anytime you wish for memories sake. God Bless. The Andersons. - Posted by: Catherine and son Kris Anderson (Neighbours down the back lane.) on: Apr 26, 2020
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Dear family, Wendy I am so sorry for your loss of a great person and devoted Mother and to all the family. May all the memories of your Mother be forever etched in your hearts. Love Laurel - Posted by: Laurel Anderson (friend of Wendy) on: Apr 25, 2020
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I love that picture of your Mom. That's the smile I remember. I think I lived at your house when I was in elementary school. Your Mom made the best bread and I stayed for many a supper. (But I still don't like liver and onions or custard. Sorry, Mrs. C.!). Your Mom was one of the kindest people this world will every know. When my brother put his arm through the wringer washer, there was your Mom, ready to help my Mom. When I wanted to do my Girl Guide nursing badge, there was your Mom, showing me how to make hospital corners on the practice bed in the Red Cross (??) building on Osborne. She drove us everywhere in her yellow car. She had many talents - I also remember the skirt and jacket she knitted for Edith. It was turquoise/aqua colour. And who can forget the baby gerbils? I seem to remember learning about the birds and the bees via your Mom talking about the gerbils, and sneaking a peek at her nursing books. Good memories. She was a wonderful woman. - Posted by: Karen Morrow (Friend) on: Apr 25, 2020
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Heaven has received another angel. My Auntie Hilda always had a beautiful smile and kind, encouraging words for me when we saw each other when I was a child in Winnipeg. I will always think of her fondly and she will be forever smiling in my memories of her. Anne Toth - Posted by: Anne Toth (nee Cotton) (Niece) on: Apr 25, 2020
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My condolences to the family and friends of Hilda,she was my instructor at red River many years ago and I always remember her with great fondness,she was so kind and had a beautiful smile.RIP Mrs cotton.Shannon - Posted by: Shannon gyles (Student (early 90's)) on: Apr 25, 2020
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We are so very sorry to hear of your dear mom's passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. - Posted by: Pat and Larry Cumming (Friends of Edie and Dave) on: Apr 25, 2020
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What a great Class mate. Kept in touch through Alumnae dinners and I visited her with Pat Drewett (Gohn) while she lived at the Portmouth Hilda was a warm wonderful person. I will remember her . Sincerely Donna - Posted by: Donna Macaw (1953B class WGH(HSC)) on: Apr 25, 2020
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I first met Hilda at The Portsmouth Retirement Residence when I was a Dining Room Supervisor. I adored her and her buddy Bear. Many years after we met again at the RHC when I now am.a caregiver and got the pleasure to care for her again. She bright smile and wit will be missed. Please accept my condolences. - Posted by: Maureen (Former dining room supervisor) on: Apr 25, 2020