Life’s misfortunes chai “YOUR mind is a mus- cle — use it or lose it,” says Hilda (Panplin) Greenwood, who is 103 years young. She is affectionately referred to as one of the won- ders of the world. Born into a loving, sheltered, and comfort- able lifestyle, and taught the values of life and decorum befitting a young !ady, the hard reality of existing in any less of a privileged environ- mient was inconceivable to her. _ She was advised: “Keep your faith and never become bitter with life.” Little did Hilda realize that those words would later become her philosophy for liv- ing, in a life of deception, anguish, near poverty, and despair. Born in Sussex, England in 1897, Hilda, along with her two sisters and two brothers, had a wonderful childhood. She commenced her music studies early in fife and as she grew older, she had a good singing voice. To be an opera singer was her dream. Her parents had booked _ Passage to Canada on the Titanic, for themselves and their three daughters. ; However, her mother became -. ill just before leaving, and their voyage was cancelled. Hilda was age 14 when they finally .” -arrived in Canada, and settled fiat Haniilton, Ontario. Life was ———— SENIORS stil really good for Hilda at this point. Then her first per- sonal loss occurred. Due to surgery complica- tions, her father died at age 50. Her mother lived to be 71 before passing away from a heart attack. At the tender age of 18, Hilda thought she had met the “right” man for her, and so she married Miles M. This was the puint in time when Hilda’s life took a harsh, downward plunge to the depths of despair. It was a rocky marriage from the start. Her husband was an alcoholic and a woman- izer, and did not adequately provide for her and the chil- dren. As the months ticked by, conditions got worse at home. Mental anguish and physical demands took their toll on Hilda’s bealth. Hilda sutfered two miscar- riages and one abortion. She gave birth to four children. Relief, in one sense, from her unhappy marriage came after nine years. Miles was drinking heavily when he was killed in a motor vehicle acci- dent in Detroit. This left Hilda with four children all under seven years of age. So there she was, with no working skills, no money, and a young family to raise. Hilda decided to take i in boarders, $3 per week for women, and $6 per week for men — including laundry and ironing. For hot water, she heated it in a pail on the kitchen stove. She moved to a larger house where she rented out rooms. To increase her income, she also took a job as a hosiery i inspector at the Eaton’s factory in Hamilton. Her workplace remained at a constant temperature of 120°F. There was, of course, no air conditioning, and no windows could be opened, because of continual produc- tions. She was paid one-half cent for inspecting 24 stock- ings. After eight years of work- ing in those deplorable condi- tions, working nights at home to keep up with her household duties, and not eating proper- ly, she became very ill from malnutrition and exhaustion. Just around this time, one of her sisters died leaving qvo small boys. Her brother-in-law, Alfred, suggested she and her children move in with him and his sons. She was to look after the house and care for all six children. The arrangement went smoothly for about eight years until Alfred announced his plans to remarry. This meant that Hilda and her chil- dren would have to move! Hilda and children moved into a two-bedroom cottage and life continued. Hilda found work in a hat store and eventually managed the shop. World War Two was start- ing and so her eldest son, Bob, age 19, joined the Navy. Her youngest daughter married and over a period of time had 3 children after difficult preg- nancies. So with each pregnan- cy, Hilda would come to Vancouver to care for her daughter until she regained her strength after the baby’s birth. In 1945, when Hilda came to Vancouver, she decid- ed to remain. She found employment as a lady’s maid to Mrs. Taylor at her residence on South Granville, and later with Mrs. B. T. Rogers, also of Vancouver. Hilda then decided to take a course in practical nursing. On completion of her taining, she secured a private nursing position in the Dorann Nursing Home on Chesterfield in North Vancouver. She was then NEWS photo Paul McGrath BOOKED on 1 the’ Titanic’s ‘ilifated voyage, Hilda Greenwood, 103 next week, — ; escaped death when her mother af ee to togk: it-and the family's.vayage, was cancelled: ,- SPS OOS SS ae ane * Ant tent een on is Tee DORR aeRO Soe ean Rea a eee at Pies ne Tate around age 50, and her life took a turn for the better. She obtained private nurs- ing positions at various resi- dences and was very good at her job. She also nursed for a time at the Red Cross Outpost at Bamfield, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. At age 62, she decided for a change of pace on weekends, to work at Greenwood Nurseries in Burnaby. It was there that she met and soon married her second husband, Ernest Greenwood. The happy couple enjoyed their life and often entertained in their home. However, her happiness was not long lived. Just short of three years of wedded bliss, Ernest took ill and passed away. Hilda sold their home and bought another near Gates Park in North Vancouver in the early 1960s. She remained in that home until she moved into the newly opened Lynn Manor — that was 25 years ago. For about two years or so she played the piano for church services, sing-alongs, and memorial services. Nowadays, Hilda’s mind is still exceptionally sharp for her young years. She reads a lor, still does her own cooking, knits a bit, plays her electric keyboard, and does her own shopping. Yes! She walks with her new walker, with its basket and seat top cover, to the nearby Safeway store and mall, then walks back home with her purchases. This exceptional lady still cooks and entertains dinner guests although space is limit- ed. Hilda says: “I'l continue doing it as long as I can. I love cooking and entertaining.” Hilda has had 27 deaths in her family, including the sud- den tragic suicide of her youngest daughter. She has 50 grandchildren and four great- great-great-grandchildren, Jokingly, Hilda remarks: hen Wong harmacist CAPSULE COMMENTS Palliative Care: By defin- ition to “palliate’ means to relieve or lessen without cure. The goal of palliative care is to keep the patient comfortable, not to cure the disease they have. It's an extremely important part of health care and -we'd like to salute all those caregivers and health pro- fessionals who are involved in palliative care. Free Parkin Free Delivery for Pharmacy Prescriptions St “gee lenged 7 Sunday, March 5, 2000 — North Shere News - 21 “Some of those great, great, greats are old enough to retire.” On Sunday, March 12, Hilda will be escorted into the auditorium for her 103rd birthday celebration. Congratulations, Hilda! You are a grand, prand lady, and with your philosophy for liv- ing, shall remain forever young. REMEMBER ‘SHOPPING ST ONc's? WELL, NOW YOU CAR AGAIN! — SHOP BY OWL FAX, EMAIL : OR OR-L Rel IT'S THAT EASY? From Deep Cuve to kions Bay - Stong's Express will deliver your groceries right to your front door. PHONE: 266-5191 FAX: 266-5199 . EMAIL: cori_bonina@be.sympaiico.ca | ON-LINE: www..stangs. com AVAILABLE MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00AM AND WILL BE DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING PAY SATURDAY DELIVERIES ARE AVAILABLE BUT. ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00AM FRIDAY.