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Family wishes Orillia woman a happy 100th birthday from a distance (4 photos)

Pandemic forces family to change plans for celebrating Hilda Hill's big day; 'It’s a nice feeling to know that we can do this,' daughter says

It wasn’t the party they’d planned, but Hilda Hill’s family wasn’t going to let her 100th birthday pass without a celebration.

Sixteen of Hill’s family members — her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — got together Tuesday on the lawn outside of Independent Suites on Simcoe Street to mark the milestone with her.

“She thinks it’s wonderful. She kept repeating, ‘This is so wonderful,’” said Hill’s daughter, Doris Soule, who chatted with her mom on the phone while looking up at her on the balcony.

As Garry Hill, Hilda’s son, pointed out, it was also the first time the family members had been together since Christmas. He made the trip from the Craighurst area, while others came from Barrie and elsewhere.

Janice Hill, Hilda’s daughter, drove up from Toronto for the occasion. She said her mother is doing well despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on visitors.

“She understands what’s going on and she understands why, so she’s doing well with it,” she said.

Hilda Hill (née Robertson) grew up in Rugby and the family later lived on a farm in Hillsdale.

“She was a stay-at-home mom but on a farm, so she did a lot,” Janice said.

The family had organized an open house at ODAS Park to celebrate the birthday, but that had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. Tuesday’s visit was the next best thing.

“It’s a nice feeling to know that we can do this,” Soule said. “The family is spread out, but we’re a close family.”

She thanked Independent Suites manager Carol Emberson for helping with the visit.

Emberson and the staff also sang Happy Birthday to Hill.


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Nathan Taylor

About the Author: Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the desk editor for Village Media's central Ontario news desk in Simcoe County and Newmarket.
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