With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Hildegard Adam, known affectionately to her family as “Oma”.  She passed away at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 8th, 2020.  She was 88 years old.

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Oma was a hard-working person with a strong family ethic, for many years helping run the family businesses alongside her husband Joe. Hilda prided herself in her ability to be a vital part of operations, and then go home and take care of her family. As a homemaker, everything in Hilda’s house was clean and in place at all times, a value that she passed on to her two children, Frank and Barb, and to her five grandchildren. She worked just as hard later in life, caring for her elderly parents Oskar, and Henny, and then her beloved Joe, until he passed away in 2011.

 

Hilda was born Hildegard Maria Oehrlein on June 11th, 1932, and grew up in the district of Sachsenhausen, in Frankfurt, Germany. Growing up during World War II, both Hilda and Joe had compelling tales of the trials of living through wartime.  Joe worked as an interpreter for American soldiers and Hilda was sent to live with relatives in the country who could feed her and protect her from the chaos of warfare in the city. 

 

After the war was over and high school finished, Hilda was training to become a professional seamstress and also worked at a film factory before deciding to follow her one and only brother Ernst to Canada.

 

In 1951, Hilda met Joachim Adam at Toronto’s Union Station, each on separate journeys immigrating to Canada. They had wonderful memories and stories to share from their young life together in Toronto. Joe worked at the Royal York Hotel, opened a printing business with his brother Gerry called Adam Bros.Printing, and a camera shop named Kingsway Camera. Hilda, despite being a seamstress in her youth, decided to take up nursing as a profession.

 

After completing her nursing studies and training, Hilda worked at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. Hilda always carried a special place in her heart for the little ones and went above and beyond to make children feel safe and cared for.

 

Hilda’s kindness towards of all creatures was also present in her love of cats and dogs, doting on the many in her care most of her adult life – Little Bells, Two Two, Pawsha, Ginger, and Spice. She and Joe even owned two monkeys – Topper and Chico.

Hilda and Joe were married June 12th, 1954, the day after Hilda’s 22nd birthday.  After focusing on each other, family, travel, and their careers for many years, the two welcomed children to their lives - Frank in 1961, and Barbara in 1966.

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Their homes in Toronto were always the occasions of family gatherings and feasts due in no small part to Hilda’s capacity to cook and entertain to perfection – everyone had to be taken care of.  In the late 60's, however, the family moved to Petawawa Ontario and started Point Road Variety & Snack Bar, a convenience store and restaurant.  Life was grand, and the family purchased an island in the Ottawa River and enjoyed lake life and boating on the “Diane York”.

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Never content to stay in one place, Joe subsequently gave up the family business, and moved everyone to Cobden where he commuted to his job at Eddy Match Co. in Pembroke.

In 1974, the family moved to Manitoba, first settling in Brandon before moving on to Winnipeg in 1976. In Brandon and Winnipeg Joe worked at a number of printing companies, Hilda often working alongside him during the day before going home to take care of her family.  In 1979, Joe and Hilda started a new venture and opened Adam's Variety on Markham Road in Waverley Heights in Winnipeg.

Hilda and Joe eventually retired from their business ventures, and Hilda stayed at home to look after her family, including nursing not only her Father, but also her Mother, in her home, during their last years. 

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Tireless, Hilda also helped raise every one of her grandchildren, even taking the bus to visit while she endured chemotherapy treatments.  Hilda and Joe even moved in with Barb & Bob to help when they were bringing up 4 children under the age of five – memories that will never be forgotten by Crystal, Chelsea, Brandi, and Bobby.  Well into her 70’s when her last granddaughter came along, Hilda insisted on taking care of Kya on a daily basis at “Oma’s” day care.

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In later years, Hilda and Joe enjoyed several years wintering in Brownsville Texas and owned a home at Paul's RV Park where they enjoyed the sunshine, warm weather, tropical fruit and plants, the occasional trip to stroll on the beach at South Padre Island and Boca Chica, and cross-border visits to eat and shop in Mexico.

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After Joe passed away in 2011, Hilda remained dedicated to her family, and taking care of her mobile home in the Southglen Mobile Home Community.  Neighbours always remarked on their 80+ year old neighbour Hilda who would take care of her neighbours’ lawns, make sure the garbage bins were put away, do all her own snow shovelling, and offer her assistance in any way she could.  She will be missed in the community.

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“Hilda, Mom, Mutti, Oma, you were always there when we needed you, and we shall never forget you!”

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Hilda was predeceased by her Father Oskar Oehrlein, Mother Henrietta Malsy, loving husband Joachim Adam, and friend and sister-in-law Friedel Oehrlein.  Also by Father-in-law Phillipp Adam, Mother-in-law Maria Adam, brother-in-law & sister-in-law Gerhard and Hildegard Adam, and brother-in-law Heinz Adam.

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Hilda was surrounded by a large and loving family in Winnipeg.  Hilda leaves to mourn son Frank Adam, daughter Barb Chrismas, son-in-law Robert Chrismas, daughter-in-law Amanda Kerr Adam, and grandchildren Crystal Snider (Greg), Chelsea Chrismas, Brandi Chrismas (Keith), Bobby Chrismas (Ashley), and Kya Adam.

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Hilda also leaves her brother and sister-in-law Ernst and Dorothy Oehrlein of Brampton, Ontario, sister-in-law Heidi Harff of Stittsville, Ontario, as well as her Oehrlein and Adam nephews and nieces.

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“You will be missed, Oma - Auf Wiedersehen - may you rest in peace.”

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Hildegard’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. They also encourage the sharing of photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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The family will hold a private celebration of life. Those wishing to honour Hildegard through a donation to charity please consider The Winnipeg Humane Society.

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Contact information for the family is:

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Frank, Amanda, Kya Adam

14 Windlass Bay

Winnipeg MB R3X 1L3

adamyork@shaw.ca or

Amanda.j.kerr@shaw.ca

 

Barb & Bob Chrismas

220 Gull Lake Road

Winnipeg MB R3T 5T2

barbarachrismas@hotmail.com

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St, Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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