Our mother Hildegard Becker was the cherished wife of Edmund, devoted mother to Christopher (Lynda), Marc (Kathleen), Gina (Tracey) and Michele (John). She was a very proud “Omi“ to ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Born August 12, 1932 in Neheim-Hüsten, Germany, she was the eldest of five and always said she had a lovely childhood. She loved being in nature, reading, and engaging in the arts.
As a young woman she attended a women’s business and art school and then apprenticed as a furniture designer in her family’s company. She loved the opportunity to travel and spent one year as an au pair in Paris and took courses at La Sorbonne. She returned to her hometown and continued to work with her father in the family business.
In 1958 she had a “chance meeting” with Edmund, a family friend whom she knew as a teenager from her local equestrian club. After three dates, the two fell in love and Hildegard agreed to leave her comfortable life, cross the ocean and build a life together in Canada. She taught herself to cook, bake, sew and knit all the while raising four children and co-building a successful farm in Smithfield, Ontario. Together with Edmund they were determined to be independent and successful in Canada. They were each other’s support and inspiration.
Hildegard was a curious woman with a remarkable memory. She was interested in people’s story and was keen to share her own. She was elegant and creative and how she expressed her creativity changed throughout her life from cooking, design, sewing and crafting to writing and painting.
She had a quiet but unwavering faith that she lived by. She learned compassion at an early age through her war experience, and this was evident throughout her life. She quietly listened, nurtured and encouraged those who needed support. She was loved for her kindness, discretion, and friendship.
For those wishing, donations may me made in Hildegard's honor to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Please join us in celebrating Hildegard’s “Amazing Life.” All are welcome:
Saturday, December 6th
Mass: 11:00 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (400 St. Laurent Blvd.)
Reception: 12:30-2:00 at the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence - main floor Cocktail Lounge. Please note the bridge to the Rockcliffe Residence is restricted to one lane. You cannot turn left or right onto the bridge. You must approach from Cobourg and wait for the light. Parking is somewhat limited so if you can carpool, great.
Dear Becker family,
We got to know and enjoy your Parents when they moved into "Falling Waters" on Wurtemburg st. We learned their life stories and shared our with them at each others Dining Room Table.
They were wonderful people, kind, caring and their shared love for each other just shone daily.
We will miss them both and we hope that all the memories that you have will give you comfort in your time of grief. May their memory be a blessing