Obituary of Hilda Shirley Sterns

Peacefully at Whisperwood Villa on Saturday, November 23, 2024 the death occurred of Hilda Shirley Roberta Sterns (Pickard) formerly of Stratford, age 93 years. Hilda passed into the presence of her Saviour surrounded by family.  Loving mother of Cherie LeMoine (Peter), Barbara Leakey and W. Randy (Lynn Humber). Grammie of Samara LeMoine, Janelle LeMoine (Rick Rhynes), Kristen LeMoine (Johnathan MacDonald) and Micaela LeMoine; Justin and Perry Leakey; Chelsea Meloro (Ethan) and Caitlin Cahill (Nathaniel). Great-grandmother of Mya, Eva, Elliana, Finley, Theodore and Genevieve (Ginny). Aunt of many wonderful nieces and nephews as well who loved her and will miss her.  Predeceased by parents Harold and Hilda (Frampton) Pickard; her beloved husband, William Edison Sterns; brothers Charles and John; sisters Josephine Gottwaldt and Barbara McLennan. 

 

Hilda Pickard arrived in this world on August 17, 1931. She was the last of five children born to Harold and Hilda Pickard (nee Frampton).  Her father, Harold, was the Postmaster in the Charlottetown Post Office and her Mom, Hilda, was a war bride from England, whom her father met when he was stationed there. Her oldest sibling, Charlie, joined the military and left home when she was only 3 years old. He returned to PEI with his family when he retired from the military and settled next door to Hilda and Bill in Tea Hill. Hilda spent much of her time in the care and keeping of her sister, Barbara, in her younger years. Barbara or Bub as she became known, was not always impressed with being tasked to look out for her. They became fast friends when they were older and remained that way their whole lives. Her older sister, Josephine, left PEI to try her fortune in the United States where she met and married an American Service Man and settled in Minnesota for the rest of her life. Her other brother, John (Jack), was in the service during the Second World War and returned to settle on PEI. Hilda’s family lived in town in the winters and spent many happy summers at a cottage just a couple of miles away at Inkerman on the North River. Her love for water and the beach stayed with her and she spent many happy days at the shore with her own children and extended family swimming and having picnics. She instilled the love of the PEI seashore in all of her family.

 

Hilda learned to play piano, taking lessons at the Convent in Charlottetown, attaining Grade 10 Royal Conservatory. She was also a beautiful alto singer and spent many happy hours playing piano for sing-a-longs with family and friends. She sang in choirs and also in amateur plays, winning a trophy for best actress in one of them. She used her gift of music to entertain many folks over the years, playing as pianist for church services and special concerts. She helped lead a sing-a-long at her own nursing home, Whisperwood Villa, along with a friend, Elsie Belyea, bringing joy and music to the residents there each week for a number of years.

 

Hilda met and married her life partner, William (Bill) Sterns, on April 18, 1953. They celebrated their 68^th wedding anniversary before Bill went home to be with the Lord on April 12, 2021. They spent the first few years of their lives together working and Bill returned to school to complete higher education. They lived in Montreal for two years where the first of their three children, Cherie, was born. When Bill completed his education, they returned to PEI, where Bill began to work for the Provincial Government. They settled in a home on a property in Tea Hill, PEI, where they would reside for 60 years. Hilda spent most of her years as a wife, mother and homemaker, where she baked and cooked wonderful meals and preserved the amazing produce that Bill grew in his garden. They had two more children, Barbara in 1958 and Randy in 1963. She was involved in the community and made many friends for life there. She returned to the work force for approximately 9 years with Peake & McInnis Insurance Company where she made another group of wonderful friends.

 

In the mid 1970’s, Hilda became involved in her church community at the Charlottetown Bible Chapel on Lincolnwood Drive. Hilda would say that at that time she trusted Christ for salvation and began a relationship with him. She and Bill spent many wonderful years with their church family there. Hilda played piano for services and many other special events.  They had an amazing circle and network of friends who meant so much to them, often hosting game days and get togethers in their home, including the youth group from the Bible Chapel. They made friends with young and old. Hilda had the gift, along with Bill, of hospitality and folks were always welcome. They also served together at Emmanuel Bible Camp after Bill retired—Hilda in the kitchen and Bill with the maintenance crew.

 

Telling the story of Hilda’s life would not be complete unless it included the love she had for family—children, grandchildren and then great grandchildren. She had a special place in her heart for each grandchild and some had the privilege of growing up next door to her. They could arrive at her home or call on the phone at any time and be welcome! Grammie, as she was known, had an immense amount of love and pride for each grandchild and they knew that they were special. She spent time baking with them, playing games, and reading stories. Gifts and cards for birthdays and Christmas were given individual thought and care. There were often sleepovers and dinners at Grammie’s house. She played a huge part in shaping who they are today.

 

Hilda and Bill moved from their home in Tea Hill to an apartment in Charlottetown on Riverridge Drive where they became a part of another community of friends. Their next door neighbor was a wonderful friend, Blanche MacKinnon, who was a widow of Bill’s first cousin. They enjoyed several great years there attending potlucks and coffee groups and musical events that were held there. Hilda incurred an injury in November 2019 and had to move to Whisperwood Villa on January 30, 2020 from the QEH as she was now bound to a wheelchair. She was a part of that community there until her death on November 23, 2024. She was the recipient of kind and compassionate care from many amazing staff at that facility who spoke of what a lovely person she was in spite of her continued mental decline as a result of dementia. The family will be forever grateful for those who showed their personal love and care for her during her years at end of life. Of special mention is Kathy Jenkins, a dear friend, who showered love and one to one care on Hilda during this time. Hilda was a wonderful wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor and she has left a beautiful legacy for all who knew and loved her.

 

Resting at Hillsboro Funeral Home, Stratford, from where a funeral service will be held Friday, November 29, 2024 at 1:30 pm.  Visiting hours are Thursday, November 28, 2024, 4-7 pm.  Interment will take place later at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Valley PEI.  

 

Memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel Bible Camp.