March 14, 1952 - Sept. 20, 2007
It began in mystery and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between.
After a brief, intense and most noble battle with cancer, Hildegarde Toews, beloved wife of John; mother of Lara (Casey), Karina and Elena; sister of Walter (Elsie) and Erwin (Ruth) Neufeld, was borne into the arms of her Creator God on Thursday, September 20, into a place of perfect peace and rest.
The daughter of Russian-MenÂnonite immigrants, Hildegarde took pride in her cultural heritage and practiced the faith of her parents and grandparents. She lived life intentionally and widely, with a rare, sometimes brazen outspoken confidence , and countless passionate pursuits that included reading, walking around Mill Lake (always stopping to pick up garbage and to remove "visual pollution" from telephone posts), travelling in North and South America and Europe, movies, musicals, and all things made with butter.
Family remained her focus to the end, and the love and prayers of her countless friends and relatives sustained her during her last three weeks on earth.
Hildegarde is survived by numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and aunts and uncles, including her namesake Tante Hilda Kamada, and Uncle Ed and Tante Frieda Pankratz.
Hildegardes was predeceased by her parents Jacob (1982) and Katie Neufeld (2003). Her family takes comfort in the wealth of memories she left behind, as well as her recently expressed sentiment, "There are worse things than death." But oh, how she will be missed!
A viewing will be held at Emmanuel Mennonite Church from 7:00 - 8:00 pm on Sunday, September 23, the first day of fall, her favorite season. Burial to take place at 2:00 pm on Monday, September 24 at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery, followed by a memorial service and reception at 6:30 pm at Emmanuel Mennonite Church.
In lieu fo flowers, donations to MCC (MEDA) or BC Cancer Agency are gratefully accepted.
Wiebe & Jeske
604-859-5885