Hilda Wardwell

Bangor - Hilda Marjorie Wardwell, 37 days from becoming a centenarian, passed away at 99 in Bangor on April 24th, 2023 while surrounded by family. She was born June 1st, 1923 in Bangor, daughter of Lester and Helen Page Banks. Hilda, a Delta Kappa Gamma member, graduated from Bangor High School in 1940 at 16, and earned a degree from the Maine School of Commerce (now Husson University) in 1943. Later, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Husson College in 1969.

Hilda taught business courses at Lee Academy in Lee, Maine from 1943 to 1946. It was there she met Ernest Wardwell, the elementary school principal. He announced at their first meeting that he intended to marry her. True to his word, they were wed in 1945.

While raising her three children, Linda, Bruce, and John, Hilda taught adult education classes, one being an Americanization class, which she found to be very rewarding. She later returned full time to teach business classes at Bangor High School until 1983. The family enjoyed camping, hiking, and traveling during their summers, and once the children had married and started families of their own, she brought them together every September for her renowned Sour Pickle pickling party.

Singing was a passion of Hilda’s, and she spent her childhood and adult life participating in the choir at First Baptist Church in Bangor and The Church of the Isles, Indian Rocks, Florida. She was also a paid soloist in area churches.

Hilda was a snowbird and was fortunate to live in two close knit neighborhoods, Bangor and Villas de Golf in Largo, Florida. She enjoyed social gatherings, tennis, bridge, sewing, and knitting. Hilda also loved to golf. She was given an Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Bangor Women’s Golf Club, and has achieved three holes-in-one, although she claimed “they were all mistakes.” Hilda was always a leader, never a follower.

Ernest passed in 1995. In 1996, Hilda married Donald Westling Sr. from Fredonia, NY. They both loved golfing, cards, dancing, and each other's company.

Hilda is survived by two of her three children, Bruce Wardwell of Lucerne, John Wardwell and his wife Tammie of Bangor; son-in-law Thomas Littlefield of York; stepdaughters, Karen Westling, Patricia Lefferts, Marcia Johnson, and Susan Westling all of Fredonia, NY; eight grandchildren, Leslie Padolko and Jason Littlefield, Kaili, Justin, Luke and Isaac Wardwell, and Kate Crabtree and Brian Wardwell; eight step grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one step great-grandchild, and three great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Wardwell of Bangor, and by her second husband, Donald Westling, of Fredonia, NY, daughter Linda Littlefield, of York, son-in-law Robert Lefferts, of Fredonia NY, and Donald Westling of Fredonia, NY, sister Frances Colpitts, of Bangor, and brother-in-law Keith Colpitts of Bangor, and step-grandchild Michelle Gelsimino of Fredonia NY.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7pm on Saturday, May 6th, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. The funeral service will be held at 1pm on Sunday, May 7th, at First Baptist Church, 56 Center St., Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the parish hall, after the funeral service. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Brewer.

Gifts in her memory may be sent to First Baptist Church, 56 Center St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.brookings-smith.com.