Obituary of Elsie Eunice Hiltz

Elsie Eunice Hiltz, age 93, a long-time resident of Ross Corner, passed away peacefully in the Grand View Manor on Thursday, June 8, 2023, after suffering with heart issues and dementia for several years, with her sister Jean by her side.  Born on November 5, 1929, at White’s Corner, she was the eldest child of the late Lester and Florence (Doherty) Misner.  She was a member of the Black Rock Baptist Church. 

During the 1940s, being the oldest child came with responsibilities, and Elsie had to leave school in Grade 6 to help care for the family.  Under the guidance of her mother and grandmother, she mastered the skills of proper house cleaning, baking with a wood stove, knitting mittens and socks, mending clothes, and caring for the younger children; skills that she would continue to use when she became a wife to Oran (Bobby), a mother to five children, and then a grandmother.  She loved to bake and would often be found singing or humming a tune along with the radio as she filled her kitchen with the sweet aroma of baked bread, molasses cookies, tea biscuits, or apple pies all baked using her wood stove.  She warmly welcomed unexpected visitors into her home, and no one left without a cup of tea and a homemade goodie.  She often hosted family gatherings and loved to hear the house fill with laughter.  She had a great sense of humor, especially when Bobby would try to step-dance to his Wilf Carter music.

Elsie enjoyed the outdoors and took pride in her flower gardens, which flourished with the help of her green-thumb.  She also helped her husband, Bobby, harvest trees for their firewood every year.  She often said that she liked the smell of being in the woods - she could always find the positive side of a situation. When her husband started his own business, she learned how to do the bookkeeping and together they operated Oran’s Auto Service for many years. They both had a positive influence on her children for the importance of education. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling around the province with her husband, camping in their trailer, and meeting people.  She really loved watching her grandchildren play and laugh, they always put a smile on her face and kept her feeling young at heart. She enjoyed watching and feeding the birds, as well as the odd stray cat.  As the years passed, her health declined and she made the move to Fundy Villa Apartments and then eventually to Grand View Manor, where she and her husband were able to spend time together until his passing in October 2022.  She always took pride in her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments in life.

Elsie is survived by her sons, Clarence (Elaine), Ross Corner; Downey (Sue), Oxford Station, Ontario; and Steven, Ottawa, Ontario; daughter, Sharon (Michael) Keddy, Ross Corner; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Hiltz, Berwick; grandchildren, Nikki Hiltz, Robbie (Natasha) Hiltz, Ryan (Angela) Hiltz, Tracy Hiltz, Jason Hiltz, Adam (Jessica) Hiltz, Denver (Meg Antonick) Hiltz, Leanna (Corey Bennett) Hiltz, Mitchell (Joline) Keddy, and Kody (Tatiana Connors) Keddy; 15 great-grandchildren; two great, great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Reeves; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Misner; several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Elsie was predeceased by her husband of 75 years, Oran Hiltz; eldest son, Terry Hiltz; brothers, George, Downey, and Richard Misner; brother and sister in infancy; several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and nephews.

Elsie’s family would like to thank the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) for her care while living at home; the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Fundy Villa and Grand View Manor for her daily care and friendship, as well as Rosedale Home in New Germany during the flood at Grand View Manor.  A special thank you to Aunt Jean Reeves and Stephanie Hiltz for always being available to help Mum and visit her on a regular basis while she resided at the Fundy Villa and the Grand View Manor.

A Visitation will take place on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Serenity Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 3:00 pm in the Black Rock Baptist Church, 1248 Russia Road, Black Rock, with interment to follow in the East Black Rock Cemetery. According to Elsie’s wishes, there will be no reception. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses–Annapolis Valley Branch, Grand View Manor, or East Black Rock Cemetery.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).