Obituary of Hilda Marie Courtney

Hilda Marie Courtney

Age 88

River Denys, Inverness County

The maker of afghans, dish clothes, pot scrubbies, pickles, jams and chow has closed the shop.  It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Hilda on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital.  Born in Sunrise Valley on November 10, 1935, Hilda was the daughter of the late Pat and Catherine (Trimm) MacLeod. 

There were many stories shared about being raised on the farm with her three sisters and playing with her neighboring cousins in the fields. Hilda and Melvin settled in Upper River Denys where they raised their two daughters.  The house was often full of family and neighbors who would gather to share stories and lots of laughs.  She waitressed for many years at the Inverary Inn and the Bell Buoy in Baddeck before retiring from the Whycocomagh Co-op.  She was great to keep in touch with people and always loved a family gathering.  Her favourite days were when one of her girls would say, “Let’s go for a drive”.  The more lost they got the better she liked it.  Always up for a stop at a store or an ice cream shop (much to the delight of the younger generations).

Left to grieve are her two daughters, Debbie (Bruce Gillis), Skye Glen; and Glenda (Ron MacGillivray), Port Hawkesbury; granddaughter, Trudy, Skye Glen; grandson, Randy (Michelle), Port Hawkesbury and great-granddaughter Alyssa whose antics never failed to bring a smile and a chuckle.  She is also survived by sister, Pat MacKinnon, Stewiacke; brother-in-law, Max Eisnor, Lantz; sister-in-law, Margaret “Sis” Courtney, Cape North, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She will be missed by all her friends and neighbors, especially the fur-babies Coal, Caper, and Chester.

Hilda was predeceased by her husband, Melvin; sisters, Eileen and Phyllis; brother, Gerald in infancy; brothers-in-law, Sandy Fitzgerald and Buddy MacKinnon and her Courtney in-laws.

Special thanks to the nurses and doctors at both the ICU and Palliative Care units at St Martha’s Regional Hospital, as well as all staff at the Inverness and Baddeck hospitals.  The family has also appreciated the visits and phone calls to check in on Hilda in the last few months.  She enjoyed every visit and call she received.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m., Friday, May 24 in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. A graveside service will be held 11a.m., Saturday, May 25 in Upper River Denys Cemetery with the Rev. Wayne MacLeod officiating.

Donations may be made in memory of Hilda to Kidney Foundation of Canada, Blues Mills Fire Department or to a charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be   forwarded to the family at:  www.haverstocks.com