George Henry, Gleaner Writer

Hilda Tomlinson, affection-ately called 'Miss Perry', is gone, but will not be forgotten by those who knew her, in particular, members of her immediate family.

She was not only well known by the members of her community, but was loved and respected by them.

Tomlinson was born on November 4, 1924, in Montego Bay, St James, but was adopted by the Blake family of Belvedere district in the parish of Westmoreland, when she was about three months old.

She attended the Kew Park elementary school in that parish and upon leaving that institution, she did what most young girls in her time did, learn how best to be domesticated.

She was said to be one of the best at cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and just about anything that could make her a wonderful housewife.

In 1947, Hilda met and fell in love with Parco Tomlinson, and finally married him in 1949. Their union produced four children - Clinton, Alfred, Laulet and Leon.

She was a woman who placed great emphasis on education and Christianity, and those who knew her got accustomed to seeing her sending all her children to school and church on a regular basis.

Employment in Kingston

Tomlinson believed that every individual should seek to earn a livelihood. It was for this reason, when her family was burdened financially in 1965, that she headed for Kingston to seek employment with one of the grandsons of her adopted parents and his young wife.

Her experience as a good housewife prepared her to properly take care of their two children; and while doing so, she became mother to all and worked with them until 1974, before going to live with her son Alfred in Gregory Park, St Catherine.

Hilda touched the lives of numerous persons while living in the St Catherine community. This she did with her generosity and sincerity. She was always willing to give a helping hand to persons who needed assistance.

When she moved to Indepen-dence City some years after with her son Alfred, his wife Norma and her grandson Alfred Jr., she again assumed the role of mother.

Again, she won the hearts of members of that community, and was one of the most respected senior citizens around.

The young people in the surroundings had a special love for her; because she gave them whatever she could afford to keep them in school.

In 2006, Tomlinson became ill with Alzheimer's disease and was placed in a nursing home. It was said to be a most difficult decision for her family to make, as she was said to be still active and energetic.

In 2007, her health deteriorated and, on November 30, she was rushed to the Spanish Town Hospital where she underwent a major surgery.

She finally succumbed to her illness on December 6.

Her thanksgiving service took place at the Empathy Funeral Home Chapel in Portmore, on December 15. Her body was later cremated.