Hilda ‘Hilrie’ (Neumann) Reimer was born in, 1933, in Gem, Alberta, at the depth of the Depression. Her parents had run out of names, so their daughter, Kay (Katherine), named the girl “Hilda” after her neighbour friend. As the second youngest child of many siblings, Hilrie became an avid student, prolific storyteller, and a competitive scrabble player. Hilrie was 12 when the family moved to Sardis, BC.

     Unfortunately for Hilrie, bullying in her school in Yarrow made life so uncomfortable for her, that she left school partway through Grade 9 and helped at home until that fall. In the following two years, she attended Bible School in Yarrow. She was baptized in 1948 and accepted as a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church at Sardis. It was at this church that Hilrie met her future husband, Edgar Reimer.

     At age 18, Hilrie was in conversation about books with Edgar and surprised him by not knowing who Albert Einstein was. For Hilrie, it was reason enough to go back to finish high school. She contacted the principal of the Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford, Mr. Isaak Dyck, and asked him whether she would qualify for grade 10.

     “Are you as smart as your brother Dave?” asked the principal, who knew Dave from earlier classes. Hilrie answered, “I think so.” So, the principal suggested Grade 12. Hilrie worked incredibly hard, and completed Grades 9 through 12 in one year, 1952, with an “A” average.

     Hilrie and Edgar were married the following summer, July 2, 1953. It bothered both of these anti-war Mennonites that Edgar was working at the Chilliwack army base during the Korean war. Hilrie encouraged Edgar to become a teacher, advice he followed. After completing his teacher’s training, Edgar, Hilrie, and their first two boys, Max and Ken, moved to Kitimat, BC, where Edgar had accepted a teaching position in September, 1955. Edgar completed his university degree in 1960 and encouraged Hilrie that it was now her turn to go to university, saying, “I will support you as you did me.” Hilrie, at 27, thought herself too old, but once she was on campus she was hooked on more learning, a love she continued throughout her lifetime.

     The next two children, Janine and Howie, were born in Kitimat, and in 1964, the family moved to North Vancouver. Hilrie worked at a local hospital to help buy a house, while taking courses at Capilano College and at UBC. She subsequently worked as a teaching assistant while completing her course work for an M.A. in History, after which she was hired by the Workers Compensation Board (WCB, now WorkSafe) as a Vocational Consultant. It was at this time that she changed her name from Hilda to Hilrie.

     While employed at the WCB, she learned about chemicals in the workplace, and applied it to her M.A. research. For her thesis, Hilrie researched women’s health issues related to workplace conditions of the cotton industry in 19th century Lancashire, England. When she completed her thesis, her professors suggested she work toward a PhD. Hilrie preferred, however, to continue her work as a Vocational Consultant and subsequently as an Appeals Commissioner until her retirement in 2002, after 30 years at the WCB.

     Since retirement, Hilrie has continued her interest in studies and human rights, and has taken courses at Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre. She is also a member of Christ Church, and has submitted a paper on human rights to its Justice Group. Hilrie’s enjoyment of travel has taken her to Egypt, Russia, Panama, Cuba, and several European countries.

     Most of all, Hilrie enjoys being a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother. Her marriage to Edgar did not last, but the two parted as friends, and they are at peace with each other.

     Hilrie and Ed’s direct descendants number 15 (2022).