Hildegard Dirks was diagnosed with terminal cancer on January 2, moved into the Foothills Country hospice on January 14, and elected to die with dignity via MAiD on February 11, surrounded by her children – Jurgen, Doug, and D.A. She was 86. At a later date her remains will be scattered near Lake Minnewanka, in the Alberta Rockies that she loved so much. Hildegard's indomitable spirit will live on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Hildegard was born in Spaichingen, Germany to Lydia and Carl Fischer. She was the oldest of two girls – her younger sister, Doris, was born in 1938. Hildegard went to work full time at age 14, babysitting three children, needing to contribute to the family income. She subsequently went on to work in a cigar factory and a screw factory; her favorite job was working at a framing business, adding gold leaf to picture frames.

Hildegard met Horst Dirks at a summer dance in 1954, they married in 1955, and their first child, Jurgen, was born in Germany. The couple emigrated to Montreal in 1957, where Hildegard taught herself English by listening to the radio and sharing community with other European immigrants. While living in Montreal, Hildegard and Horst welcomed their second son Doug, and D.A. (Doris Andrea).

After Horst's death in 1978, Hildegard returned to Germany with D.A. to help nurse her father at home until he died; in the spring of 1979, she moved to Calgary. It was during this difficult time that Hildegard's brave and pragmatic qualities came to the fore. In order to support her family, and with no high school diploma or recent work experience, she cleaned private homes, worked in housekeeping at the Calgary General Hospital, eventually took a job as a secretary, and concluded her work life in retail. Hildegard retired as soon as she was able to do so, at age 65.

Hildegard's self-sufficient personality had no better example than the fact that she managed to scrimp and save in order to finally buy her own home in Calgary, where she lived independently for over 30 years. She nurtured her garden tirelessly, and friends and family marveled at its beauty.

Hildegard was proud of her children's careers and happy partnerships. Jurgen retired from a career as a business executive and is a father to Katherine (Eric) and Jennifer (Stephen), and husband to Carol. Doug recently retired from a career in broadcasting and is married to Laura, and they have two children, Ian (Anissa) and Grace (Evan). D.A. earned a Ph.D., is an educator and with their partner Scott, has a menagerie of geriatric pets. Hildegard was delighted to see her family grow with the addition of her great-grandchildren, Chloe and Leah, Katherine and Eric's children.

The family are deeply grateful to the staff at the Rockyview Hospital, the AHS Palliative & End of Life Care team, and the volunteers and staff at the Foothills Country Hospice.

Please, no flowers – memorial tributes may be made directly to the Foothills Country Hospice Society https://www.countryhospice.org/support-us/

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