Order of Service                                  Chronology

You Had To Be There ! Now You Can Be

for Hilda...and all those who follow after

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On Saturday, January 7th, 2006, an estimated 400 people gathered at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver to pay a tribute of respect and affection to Hilda L. Thomas,

who died in late November. Now get the 70 minute video re-enactment on DVD.

Share in the memories of Dave Barrett, Margaret Birrell, Reverend Dr. Phillip Hewett,

with readings from Theresa Thomas, Jon Bartlett and Philip Thomas.

Music of Bach, Cilea, the Solidarity Notes Labour Choir, Michael Thomas, Nicole MacDonald

Karen Morse, Harold Douglas Brown and Hilda herself.
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Order of Service                                  Chronology

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-Celebration of the Life of Hilda Thomas

Prelude: piano, Michael Thomas

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Welcome - Rev. Steven Epperson

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Choral: Erkenne mich, mein Hüter St Matthew Passion Part 1 # 21

Know me, my Keeper J.S. Bach Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra

conducted by O. Klemperer

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Eulogy - Rev. Phillip Hewett

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Daonnan D. Chappel Reid cello, Nicole MacDonald

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On Friendship Margaret Birrell

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Remembering Hilda - Never to be Forgotten Dave Barrett

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Days Like This words and music by H.L. Thomas

vocal, Karen Morse; guitar, Michael Thomas

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Easter 1916 W.B. Yeats excerpts - read by Jon Bartlett

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Io son l’umile ancella Adriana Lecouvreur, Act I

I am the humble handservant Francesco Cilea soprano, Mirella Freni

La Scalla di Milano conducted by A. Votto

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The Forest Path to the Spring Malcolm Lowry

excerpts - read by Theresa Thomas

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Bread and Roses J. Oppenheimer, R. & M. Farina

Circle Chant L. Hierschhorn

Solidarity Notes Labour Choir conducted by P. Powell

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Chorus: post mortem nihil est ipsaque mors nihil

After death nothing is, and nothing, death

Excerpt from Troades, Act II Seneca the Younger

translation 1680 by John Wilmot read by Philip Thomas

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In her own voice The Trucker’s Song K. Papov

sung by Hilda Thomas

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Closing Words - Rev. Steven Epperson

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Postlude: piano, Harold Douglas Brown

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A reception in Hewett Centre was held immediately following the service.

Family Dinner to follow at the neighbourhood Greek restaurant

Click Here

Chronology of Hilda Thomas' Public Life

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1928, June 23 Born second of two daughters to Michael James Halpin and Anice Clare Halpin (née

    Chipman), Kimberley, B.C.

1944 Enrolled at University of British Columbia; Member of Players Club, Letters Club,

    Poetry Editor - The Thunderbird; member of Earle Birney’s Authors Anonymous

1945 Began her social justice activities singing on IWA picket line

1947 August 29 Married to Philip James Thomas, Vancouver, B.C

1948 Bachelor of Arts with Honours English & Philosophy, UBC

1948~1953 Gave birth to her three children; established a home in Vancouver

1950’s Joined Co-operative Commonwealth Federation - later to become the New Democratic Party -

    and began working on social justice issues in the political arena

1959 Founding member, along with Phil Thomas, Al Cox and Rolf Ingelsrud (The High Riggers)

    and Jeannie (Cox) Moss, of the Vancouver Folk Song Circle, which later gave birth to the Vancouver

    Folk Song Society

1962 Returned to study at UBC; Teaching Assistant, Department of English

\1967~1975 Core Activist in the Anti-Vietnam War movement

1965 Master of Arts Degree, Department of English; Master’s Thesis:

    Malcolm Lowry’s Under the Volcano: An Interpretation

1965~1973 Lecturer and Instructor in UBC’s Department of English

1969 Continuing studies at University of Washington

1970~1976 Active member of Vancouver Area Council (President 1975/76)

1970~1990 Active Executive Member of B.C & Federal NDP Womens’ Rights Committees, advocating for parity for women at all levels of the Party

1973~1978 Vancouver General Hospital Board of Trustees

1973~1993 Tenured Senior Instructor in UBC Department of English

1974 Candidate for Vancouver School Board

1972, 1975, 1979, 1983 NDP Candidate in B.C. Provincial Elections; continuing to work actively for the Party until 2005

1986 Performance at Folklife Expo 86 with Phil Thomas and Friends, one of many public performances that Hilda participated in over the years

1986~1996 Instrumental in increasing Parks and Wilderness areas in BC; worked to protect and establish Jericho Lands, Point Grey Foreshore

                                  and Pacific Spirit Park where she stood with the Musqueam in their claim to Aboriginal Title and Right

1987~1994 Involved in a pivotal role in the start-up, operation and management of the Everywoman’s Health Centre, providing access to

                                  legal, safe abortions in a nurturing and supportive environment to women everywhere

1993~2005 Volunteer parliamentarian and writer of position papers for B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities

2005, November 25 Died at Palliative Care Tower 16 Vancouver General Hospital

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