Hilda Bornemann

1933 – 2023

It is with love in our hearts, that we announce the passing of our beloved Hilda, aged 89 years, at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre on February 3, 2023.

She leaves behind many friends, relatives and neighbours in Germany, Europe, and across Canada, who are treasuring the memories they shared with Hilda.

Hilda Bornemann was born in Muenster Westfalen, Germany in 1933. Hilda remained in Germany, completing her schooling and learning a trade in sewing.  Hilda immigrated to Canada in May of 1957, at the age of 24 and came directly to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Hilda’s first job was in a sewing factory where she could work even before becoming fully proficient in English. Hilda attended free English classes that were made available by the Canadian government to immigrants.  It was in these night classes that Hilda connected with Wilma Engel, a German woman, and her 6-year-old daughter Annemarie, as well as a Dutch woman named Maaike.  All three women became friends and ended up moving to reside in the same building in shared accommodation.  Hilda volunteered to help Wilma with the care and supervision of Annemarie.  Hilda remained a support and confidante for Annemarie through the years and to this date.  She was like a second mother.  This is just one example, of how children of friends loved her and called her Aunty Hilda; as she treated those she connected with like family.

Hilda eventually moved out on her own, and bought a lovely cocker spaniel named Rover, her first car, and her first small house in St. Vital.  Hilda achieved a lifelong dream when she saved and purchased a 75-acre farm on Hazelridge road, which she resided at until the end of her life.  Hilda was able to achieve this goal through working more than one job, being frugal, and staying focused on her goal.  These jobs included the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, as well as sporadic work at a sewing factory, and running a forklift.  Over the course of the following years, Hilda poured all her energy into the management of her farm and the animals that came to live with her there.  Hilda found great joy, as well as much that challenged her in her new life on the farm.  She learned new skills, developed meaningful relationships with friends and neighbours, and last but not least, she valued the many animals that she came to love and cherish – among them horses, cows, geese, chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats and birds.  Her love and respect of nature and wildlife was unprecedented.

She found joy in her life even during the last couple of years with reading books, being on her iPad, listening to CBC radio, or watching her favourite shows on television –Veterinary shows, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, Downtown Abbey or Murdoch Mysteries.  She also found joy in phone calls with her friends and cousins and had great interest in what was happening in the news of the world and Canadian politics.

Many thanks to Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Kinsley as well as all the staff at Beausejour and Selkirk Hospitals for all the care and compassion they showed toward Hilda.

As per Hilda’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Hilda’s life is being planned for Friday, February 24, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel; 1035 Park Ave. E., Beausejour, MB.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hilda’s memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society, The Siloam Mission, and the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba (Making Miracle’s Program).

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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