Obituary
Hilda Petronilla Ford of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on March 27, 2020 at the Dulcina Hospice at the age of 80 years.
Hilda was born in Ajmer, India to Abraham and Rosy D’Souza on October 16, 1939. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of British Columbia. Hilda was an award-winning teacher who chose to teach handicapped and disadvantaged students. Prior to coming to Canada, she taught in Jesuit Schools at Mussoorie and Nainital in the Himalayas. In 1966, she taught grade one Cree students in Desmarais, and became a Canadian citizen the same year. In 1968-70, Hilda, together with her husband David, taught in a two-room school in the Indian village of Pelly Crossing, Yukon. Hilda moved back to Alberta to teach in Conklin and Grouard. In Peace River she taught students with learning difficulties. She enjoyed 20 years successfully leading her team working with the severely challenged adolescent students at St. Gregory School in the Calgary Catholic School District. Her Christmas and Easter meal celebrations with her students and their parents will be long remembered as will her expeditions with her students to the Columbia Icefields and Edmonton. Lately Hilda provided consultation in Special Education to private schools in Calgary.
She enjoyed traveling with her beloved husband and family, driving overland, meeting locals and shopping (aka bargaining). Hilda explored Australia, Burma, Thailand, and had so many adventures in every locale visited. She returned to India in 1970-71 to visit her father and again in 2010 to meet former friends, family, teachers and students. Hilda returned to the Yukon after 40 years, to meet with former students. She was loved by so many and enjoyed socializing with those that loved her. So many picnics in Alberta, so many potluck suppers and swimming parties at home with all her friends, that will be remembered forever. She left a legacy and helped so many.
Hilda is survived by David, her husband of 51 years; daughter and son-in-law Audrey Ford-Lecorps and Sidney Lecorps of Airdrie, Alberta; her brother, Sam D’Souza of London, England; and her sister, Esther Pais of Bundi, India. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Mark, Caesar, Mary and Annie.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michaels Catholic Church with The Rev. Julian Studden officiating.
Deepest love and gratitude go out to the extraordinary staff at Dulcina Hospice who lovingly cared for Hilda for her last 9 months. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dulcina Hospice care of Covenant Care (www.covenantfoundation.ca/gift-in-memory1?mid=704).
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Hilda Petronilla Ford October 6 1939 March 27 2020 (age 80)..
Décès pour la Ville: Calgary, Province: Alberta