The Chronicle Herald Monday, November 1, 2010
Volume 62 Number 259
Halifax NS Canada


GABRIEL-LAKE (Pafford), Hilda Mary - 91 years, Sydney, passed away
peacefully on October 31, 2010, in the Cove Guest Home from end stage
Alzheimer's disease.  Hilda was born on July 11, 1919, in North Harbour,
Placentia Bay, N.L. Her parents were Josiah and Eliza (Reid) Pafford. One
of 12 children, she is survived by her youngest brother, Harold Pafford
of Corner Brook. When her mother remarried after her father's death due
to illness, Hilda became part of a combined family of 20 children. Hilda
completed her education in St. John's and moved to Corner Brook where
she met and married her first husband, Harold Gabriel in 1938. They
raised their family of six children in Sydney. Hilda had fond memories
of her time working at Colby Market and the Salvation Army and after she
was widowed in 1964 realized a childhood dream of operating a grocery
store as owner of Hillside Dairy on George Street in Sydney. At 53,
she started a career as owner of a hotel/boarding house on Brazil Square
in St. John's. She worked tirelessly there to provide a home atmosphere
for her guests, often entire families from coastal communities visiting
relatives in hospital. While in St. John's, Hilda met and married her
second husband, Bill Lake. They shared a happy marriage in Sydney and
Newfoundland until his death in 2005. Hilda regularly attended Christ
Church in Sydney where she volunteered in the Altar Guild. An avid
reader, she valued learning and encouraged all her children to educate
themselves. All those who have known Hilda will remember her as a loving
person whose life was centered on her home, family and friends. Hilda
is survived by her children, Reg (Helen), British Columbia; Bill
(Joan-deceased), Ontario; Harold (Pat) Bridgewater; Linda (Ib Lauritsen),
Ontario; David (Sandra) Sydney; Gordon (Bev) Sydney; grandchildren,
Linda Marie, Reggie, James, Harold, Matthew, Erica, Charlie, Donna,
Kim, Christine, Geoffrey, Ruth, Emily, Carrie Ellen, Michael, Adam; step
grandchildren, Tosha, Anne, Nancy, Jason, Tracy; and greatgrandchildren,
David, Emma, Lily, Theo, Nicholas, Hilary, Matthew, Ciara, Ella, Lucas,
Jamie, Jacob, Lindsay, Dorian, Keagan and Lakelin. She is also survived
by her brother-inlaw, Walter. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November
2 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Sydney Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will
take place Wednesday, 10 a.m. in Church of Christ the King, with Rev. Glen
Kent officiating. Reception will follow in the church hall. Interment will
be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Cove
Guest Home, the Salvation Army Parkdale House or the Church of Christ
the King or charity of your choice. Hilda's family wishes to express
their sincere thanks to the staff of the Cove Guest Home and especially
the Creative Care unit for their highly professional and loving care
over the last four years. Condolences may be sent to the family at:
www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca - GABRIEL-LAKE