She joined Soroptimist International Dewsbury in 1958 and transferred to the Scarborough club when she became headmistress of the Girls' High School.

Hilda was president of SI Scarborough in 1969/70 and whole-heartedly supported all club projects, regional, national and international up to the end of her life.

The fact that soroptimism is a worldwide organisation was vitally important to Hilda and she travelled and met soroptimist members from all over the world.

Scarborough members were never quite sure what Hilda was going to do next.

In a recent project raising awareness of organ donation, leaflets were being distributed to members of the biking fraternity awareness and Hilda was the one who managed to have a ride on a motorcycle, not bad for a lady in her 80s.

Due to her considerable service to many local organisations and all form of club life she was made honorary member of SI Scarborough in 2000.

Hilda's knowledge of soroptimism was phenomenal and she could always guide the club on soroptimist matters.

She gave talks to local groups to spread the message of soroptimism.

Hilda would have been 90 on June 21 and, as ever thinking of others, she intended to keep an all-night vigil on the date in her church to raise funds for the homeless.

Hilda's friendship, energy and enthusiasm will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

Irene Atkinson
President and member of Soroptimist International Scarborough.
Abbots Garth
Seamer