Obituary of Kathryn Yvonne Hilder

It is with great sadness that the family of Kathryn Yvonne (Johnston) Hilder announces her death on 18 October 2024 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Kathryn was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, on December 24, 1932, to William and Florence (Stephenson) Johnston. At the age of six, she moved with her family from Canso, Nova Scotia to Red Head, New Brunswick. After graduating from Saint John High School in 1949, Kathryn entered Mount Allison University and earned a Bachelor of Arts (hons) History in 1953. Kathryn then spent a year teaching and coaching basketball at The Netherwood School for Girls before continuing her education at the University of Toronto, earning a graduate degree in Library Science in 1955.

While at Mount Allison, Kathryn met Harold Hilder, whom she married on June 9,1956 in Toronto. Harold’s career in the United Church ministry took them to Arden (Ontario), Orangedale (Nova Scotia), Petitcodiac and, Marysville (Fredericton), New Brunswick where the family settled in 1974. During those years, in addition to raising a growing family, Kathryn was actively involved in church work, directing junior choir, teaching Sunday school and filling in as organist when required. While living in Petitcodiac, she continued her studies, earning a Bachelor of Education degree from Mount Allison in 1970. She taught for several years before moving to Fredericton.

Living in Fredericton provided Kathryn with the opportunity to pursue her chosen career in Library Science. She accepted a position as an Academic Reference Librarian at the UNB Harriet Irving Library in 1974. Her position with the Harriet Irving Library gave Kathryn the chance to pursue her several passions -- genealogy, historical research, and most particularly the history of the United Empire Loyalists in Canada, of which her ancestors were members. UNB is home to “The Loyalist Collection”, the largest collection of Loyalist material in Canada. Per the Collections website Kathryn “was the original creator of The Loyalist Collection and original creator and author of the catalogue and inventory… and Librarian in charge of the Collection from 1978 until her retirement in 1998.”

Kathryn found her career at UNB to be both personally and professionally fulfilling. It gave her the opportunity to work with and support thousands of students in their research endeavours over the years, another labour of love for Kathryn. Well into her retirement, Kathryn was pleased to serve as an expert resource on Loyalist historical records, sought out by academics, researchers and genealogists from around the world. She was an active member of many historical and genealogical associations throughout her life.

While her career was important to her, Kathryn’s real focus throughout her life was her family. An only child herself, she loved the dynamic of a large family. She was an active and loving participant in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren attending events, swim and track meets, soccer, hockey, ringette and basketball games at every opportunity. An animal lover and generous supporter of many animal, wildlife and environmental causes, she loved nothing more than being outside in the garden with the family pet(s) near by.

Kathryn is survived by one daughter, Ruth (John) Buckingham; four sons, John (Beverly), Bruce (Marie Bibianne), Peter (Karen Ward), Robert (Eloise Boucher); ten grandchildren, Allison Hill (Mike Basque), Christopher, Jeremy, Kathryn (Katie), Alexander, Jacob and Luke Hilder, Jillian and Naomi Buckingham and Amanda Lavigne (Jason Nash); several great grandchildren; one sister-in-law Eileen McConville; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by; her husband of 51 years, Rev. Harold Hilder; son David; infant sister Geraldine; and daughter-in-law Lynn Hilder

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family at McAdam's Funeral Home, Fredericton, NB, on Thursday, 24 October 2024, from 5pm-7pm. Interment will take place in Fernhill Cemetery, Saint John, NB on Friday 25 October 2024 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances made in Kathryn’s name to your local SPCA, or a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.