Hilda Anna (Dilla) OGDEN
October 23, 1914 – February 27, 2013
A CELEBRATION OF HER LIFE will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2013 in her garden at 8004 Woodside, Procter. Refreshments will follow at the Procter Community Hall, 246 3rd Avenue, Procter. (In the case of inclement weather the celebration/service will be moved to the hall). Please dress in comfortable clothing and if you like… colours to reflect her love of flowers, nature and life.
She left this world in her 99th year after a short illness while visiting in Kamloops. Her daughter Beth and grandson Jared were at her side.
At the time of her death Dilla was first in our five generations. She will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her daughters: Claire (Norman), and Beth (Larry), her grandchildren: Cheryl (Mike), Jill (Bill), Mark Riedel, Chandra (John), Jared Wood. Also left to mourn are her great grandchildren: Darnell, Kyla, Hillary, Quentin, Clorissa, Alisha, Erick, Amanda, Chelsea, Tiara, Kota. Dilla was also very proud of the fifth generation, her great great grandchildren Alexandra and Dawson (she was looking forward to a third due soon). Her faithful little Yorkie companion Chip misses her very much.
She is also survived by one sister Edna Heffernan, her close cousins Jessie Laronde, Alan Heighton, his sister Joan and many, many other relatives. She leaves behind many friends and relatives she was very close to. Her niece Ruth (Jack) Maleschewshi, friends and neighbours Robert and Shirley Kammerzell, Roger Oliver, Gerry and Jeanne Plant, Don MacLeod and his sister Chris. She was very close to the Erickson family of Washington state, particularly the two youngest boys Curtis (Kate) and Steven (Janice). Her circle of friends was so large and widespread it is impossible to mention everyone She was predeceased by her beloved husband Albert Ogden in 1973. We are comforted in knowing that she is finally reunited for eternity with her great love. Also predeceased by her parents Alfred and Clara Heighton; her siblings and their spouses: Art Cromack (Myrtle), Lily (Joe) Mucha, Bob Heighton (Marion), Jim Heighton (Merle).
Dilla always loved and participated in her community. To her there was no place like Procter. She was an active member of the Procter Garden Club; the Procter–Harrop Seniors Association; the Procter Community Association; the Kootenay Storytelling Festival; the Harrop–Procter Forestry Co-Op. A member of the Kootenay Lake Hospital Auxillary in Nelson for almost 40 years, she travelled with her little dog to craft fairs selling hospital raffle tickets. She saw the need for more funding to achieve better health care for everyone and carried this on into her early 90s. After the death of her parents she continued to visit Willowhaven Care Home and if there was a drive on to raise funds so that the “old people” in the homes would be able to have extras she would be involved. This of course was when she was in her 70s and 80s.
In earlier years she and her friend Edna Fitchett organised Christmas concerts — finding (sometimes writing) plays and skits, casting, directing, finding costumes. They made certain each and every child had a part. Everyone came! At least three or four plays and as many choirs were necessary to fit them all in. Everyone came! She was happy to have run the Sunday School at the United Church for over 25 years as she felt it was important for the children. When the Procter School went to Grade 12 and they needed someone to teach the senior girls sewing, Dilla was the one who went and did it. While her girls were in school there she somehow found the time to be an active PTA member, even serving as president at times.
She and Dad shared a love of boating and fishing. They had many happy times out on the lake together. Sometimes if he came off shift at 6 a.m., she’d meet him and they’d fish until it started to get too warm. Then they’d head home for a delicious breakfast of fresh trout.
She enjoyed gardening so much and was never happier than when she could share it with others… She just loved showing them through her garden and most of them left with plant and slips for their own garden. Trained florist, very talented, she delighted in turning out spectacular arrangements for all occasions.
Dilla and Albert loved to entertain at home. Mum was a wonderful cook and she was well known for her roast beef andYorkshire pudding with several kinds of pies for desert. Away back in the day they never knew just how many guests would show up on Sunday for dinner. It was all part of the fun and they just kept adding plates and chairs. Somehow they would fit everyone in and great times were had by all.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name: The Kootenay Lake Hospital Auxillary, 3 View Street, Nelson BC V1L 2V1
or to: Procter Community Society, c/o David Okros, President, PO BOX 108, Procter BC V0G 1V0