Peacefully, in the bright sunny afternoon of Sunday, January 5, 2025, Hilde Hamel entered into eternal rest. She was 87 years old.
Hilde was born in Wuppertal, Germany and came to Canada as a young teenager in 1951. She moved to different communities with her family until she took on the position of a farm hand in Eagle River, Ontario. She was a hard worker and quickly became like an adopted daughter to the farm family of Carl and Tillie Hampe. Although there were twists and turns to her life story, fate would have it that she would eventually fall in love with the handsome son of that family. She married Harvey Hamel and together they raised their five children in the Dryden area.
Hilde was a devoted wife, mother, sister and nana. She was very generous and kindhearted, always looking out for everyone she cared about. Even her coworkers would say the same. When she took on a seasonal job as a tree planter, she became known as the “Kool-aid Lady” because every day she would bring a large thermos of refreshments for the crew. Sharing with others brought her joy. Her compassionate nature also extended to her beloved pets. She took delight in caring for the small creatures that came into her life, especially her budgies and her dogs. In her final years, her dog Winter was her little best friend. Together they put on many miles walking the neighbourhood.
Throughout her life, Hilde’s footsteps were set to a melody. Music was very much a part of the fibre of her being. She enjoyed playing the drums, the saxophone and the accordion. She also loved listening to music and would be sure to take along her headphones even if she was going for a short walk.
Although Hilde kept a very private life, she did take pleasure in getting together with others. She took many trips to see her extended family, who were all so important to her. She also regularly played on dart leagues and had a reputation for making the “triple 19” look too easy. She was a frequent visitor at 10 Victoria too, where she took in many good cups of coffee and friendly chats with the ladies there.
Anyone who knew Hilde would admire her gentle nature and her good-humoured approach to life. She was a tower of strength for all that she endured over her lifetime. She was a patient listener. She was wise. She appreciated the little things. She had the cutest twinkle in her eye. She was so loved and she will ever be fondly remembered for all that she was.
Hilde will be dearly missed by her family, including her children Debora (Roy) Dzikowski, Al (Tracey) Hamel, Dolores Hamel, Darlene (Rod) Armit, and Edward Hamel. She will forever hold a special place in the hearts of her grandchildren Lynda, Jennifer, Melissa, Nicole, Graham, Rachel, and Katelyn, as well as among her twelve great-grandchildren and great-great granddaughter, Riley. Hilde’s memory will be honoured by her siblings Hans-Joachim, Karin, Rosemarie and Dolores with whom she maintained a close relationship despite their distance apart. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Hilde was the loving wife of Harvey Hamel before his death in 2016. She was also predeceased by her mother-in-law Tillie Hampe, with whom she shared a very close friendship, as well as her mother, Hildegard, brother Ben, and sister Monika.
Among the treasures that Hilde left behind was this poem that reflects her desired wishes for how to remember her:
After Glow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo, whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
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