Hilda E. James

Hilda  E.  James

Hilda E. James, age 93, Bloomsburg, died at 4:30 a. m.   Monday, April 22, 2013, at Balanced Care At Bloomsburg, where she resided for two years. Prior to that she was a resident of Loyalton for two years and previously resided on Jefferson Street for 50 years

Born on February 5, 1920 in Edwardsville, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Olwen (Morris) Edwards. She was a 1937 graduate of Edwardsville High School, where she was voted most popular, and Wilkes-Barre Business School. She moved to Bloomsburg in 1954.

Hilda was employed at the Duplin Silk Co., Wilkes-Barre during and  after World War II. In Bloomsburg she was employed  at the Hutchison Insurance Agency and later was a medical secretary in the Medical Records Department of the Bloomsburg Hospital. For years before and after retirement, she worked in the Bloomsburg Fair ticket office with many good friends.

During World War II, she was part of the legions of American women who worked to keep the home front strong. On a weekend in April, 1943, she married the love of her life, Thomas A. James, Sr., who was home on his only weekend leave of four years while serving with the US Navy. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in April 2009, a month before his death on May 15th. Hilda and Tom were inseparable, loving, devoted partners. They are now at peace together, in love forever.

In addition to her husband, Hilda was also preceded in death by her  siblings, whom she loved: Rachel, Betsy, George and Joe. She was proud of her Welsh heritage and traveled to Wales and corresponded with her relatives there.

Hilda was the mother of Lynne Ruth, a New Jersey school teacher and wife of Sylvan Hershey,  Hawthorne, N.J. and Columbia-Montour Common Pleas Judge, Thomas A. James, Jr., and his wife Cindy E., Bloomsburg. She was the grandmother of five: Eric Hershey, and his wife Christina; Jonathan Hershey; Megan Hershey; Benjamin James; David James; and great-grandmother of Landon and Catherine Hershey. She was the last of her immediate family.

She was simply a wonderful parent to her children and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a prolific correspondent and constantly helped people in need. She was a volunteer with the PTA and many other school activities, the Boy Scouts, and the Girl Scouts.

Hilda was very active at Wesley United Methodist Church where she was a member for over 50 years; served as a Sunday School teacher; and always busy as a volunteer, often with her husband Tom. She also was a member of the Ivy Club and a life member of the Bloomsburg Hospital Auxiliary, for which she volunteered in the hospital gift shop for many years.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at at 11 a. m. in Wesley United Methodist Church, Market & West Third Streets, Bloomsburg, with her pastor, Rev. Dr. Gary D. Weaver officiating. Private interment will be made in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 6-8 p. m. at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg. There will be no viewing at the Church Thursday. The family will receive friends at the Church from 10 - 11 a. m. Please use West Third Street entrance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Wesley United Methodist Church, 130 W. Third St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

Hilda James was an exemplary wife, parent and friend. She was caring, kind, empathetic, and giving. She brought joy, comfort and love to her family and friends who adored her dearly.