MacDONALD (Bolding), Hillegonda Albertha - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Hillegonda 'Hilda' Albertha MacDonald after a brief and sudden illness. She passed away peacefully with her children at her side on Sunday, August 23, 2020. Born August 10, 1925 in Beilen (Drente) Holland, she was the daugher of Roelof and Aafje Bolding. Mom came to Canada as a War Bride in July 1946, arriving at Pier 21 on the Aquitania. She lived in Port Hawkesbury with our dad and had 10 children, 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Throughout her 95 years Oma maintained her strong Dutch will and pride in her heritage. Among other things, this was most evident in the beautiful array of flowers she raised annually, seemingly without effort. She was the last surviving member of her family. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and after her husband died she enjoyed volunteering with the church in the capacity as an altar server for funerals. She also volunteered with the St. Joseph's Bereavement group in the mid 90's, and was a past member of the Palliative Care Program at Strait Richmond Hospital in the early 90's. She enjoyed her Tim Horton's coffee and socializing with her friends regularly to the local Tim's. In her later years Mom was asked on several occasions to lay the wreath for the Motherhood of Canada on Rememberance Day and on one occasion was the guest of honor and asked to speak at the veterans dinner on her recollection of the war times in Holland. Mom was always so grateful for the Canadians liberating the Dutch people during WWII. Mom believed in the value of hard work and continuing education. She fostered an independent spirit in all of her children for which we can be thankful. Her proudest accomplishment was that all of her children pursued post-secondary education and went on to professional careers, while at the same time raising their own families and instilling her strong values along the way. Mom is survived by her children, Dini (Vince) Gallant, Calgary; Winnie (Ron) Richards, Sydney; Bruce (Jean) MacDonald, Sydney; Veronica (Ed) Ritcey, Campbell River, BC; Annette (Charles) Moar, Port Hawkesbury; Marina (Dale) Fuller, Medicine Hat, AB; Heather (Tori) Engum, Penticton, BC; Corinne (Darrell) Beaton, Fall River, Ken (Tammy) MacDonald, Calgary, AB. She was predeceased by her husband, Bruce in 1993; her son, Arnold and grandson, James Bruce Ritcey; her sister, Diny Vedder, Eindhoven NB, Holland and brother, Arnold, Brockville, Ont. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at the Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home in Port Hawkesbury. A private funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Port Hawkesbury with Father Conrad Edwards officiating. Interment in the parish cemetery. Donations in memory of Hilda may be made to the St. Joseph's Cemetery Fund or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Visitation Time 6-8 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Service Time Private Family Service Service Location St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury Burial Information Burial Date Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Burial Time Following Funeral Mass Burial Location St. Joseph Parish Cemetery