Hilda Viola Ismay Trott, better known to her loved ones as "Ismay," was the fourth child bom to John Henry and Viola on September 12, 1929 in Bermuda. As a small child she told fanciful stories but could do no wrong in her father's eyes, a constant sibling annoyance to Vincent, Polly (Pauline), Bussey (John Albert) and Steve (Wellington). While her mother worked as a live-in domestic, a common occurrence during very difficult times for
people of color, she lived on Billy Goat Hill with her grandparents, Edward and Sarah Fox.

Ismay's childhood memories were often traumatic and daunting due to the racial and social divide on her tiny island and harrowing family circumstances. The harshness over the years scarred her in ways and left her feeling "not good enough" with little security. Ugly family secrets kept her isolated in her family circle, dwarfed her mental and emotional development and set her on an unhealthy path. As a result, she trusted no one with her

inner struggles. She made no person privy to her pain. She moved through life a shadow of her best self yet she blossomed and survived through extraordinary effort on her part. She said "her mistakes were many."

When she was 18 years old, she gave birth to her first child, Marilyn Diana. Similar to her own childhood experience, she left her child at a tender age, and went to work as a live-in domestic while her daughter was sent to a relative. She slightly changed the narrative by leaving the island. When Ismay returned to Bermuda, she began a waitressing job at Belmont Hotel. The hours and shifts were endless. Soon, she gave birth to her middle child, Derrick Hilgrove. Due to the long hours, Derrick spent most of his early years on the hips of his older sister, Diana. When Diana was 14 and Derrck was 7, Ismay's youngest child, Freemagene Francine, was bom. She joined her maternal grandmother, mother and siblings in Ord Road, Warwick.

Many details of Hilda's life have been lost in Bermuda ocean's mist of tirne. It's likely that she attended school in Cobb's Hill, Warwick, where Ismay and her brother Wellington received their early education. In 1975, she attended Manhattanville College part-time taking art classes where her teacher described her as being "extremely intelligent and creative with a great sense of responsibility." Eventually, she stepped into the world of early childhood education, which motivated her to return to her homeland and secure her first job in the educational field at Bermuda Institute of Seventh-day Adventist. While there, she used the opportunity to gain knowledge of pre-school teaching and learning. She realized her destiny - her purpose for being - was teaching. She entered the workforce of the government at the Pre-school level and worked tirelessly for many years in more than one parish. When she retired, she believed she had played a role in the learning of young children.

The facts of her life were glaringly complex - an unwed mother of three, several failed relationships. Those circumstances drove her to develop a sound work ethic and religious fervor. It was common knowledge in the extended family and wider community that she had a fierce defensive mechanism for any negativity directed towards her and her family, such as disapproval over transferring her parenting to her mother within her
household from time to time. She felt the sting of criticizing tongues too many times in her life. But there was more to Ismay's story. No one saw her come home at 2 am from her second job, clean her house, make school lunches, wash clothes and hang them out in the blackest of nights while fanning off bullfrogs. Then, anxiously sort through bills, hoping waitress tips would cover her one more month.

Ismay found safety in the arms of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Bermuda. She was especially proud of her tenure at Somerset Church. By 1980, she was baptized, along with her youngest child, Freemagene. She also sent Diana and Derrick to Seventh-day Adventists schools. She became one of the hardest workers and served with distinction. She covered the spectrum of church work, spreading her talents over most of the
departments. She served as deaconess, women's ministry leader, Sabbath school teacher, hospitality member, and vacation bible school worker. For many years she labored and contributed financially to the church. She loved the people and fondly spoke of them over the years while residing in America.

Due to her son's desire to have his mother settled permanently and her desire to be nearer to her children, Derrick sponsored her to receive her U.S. residency card in 1997. Thereafter she was known by her legal name, Hilda. Hilda's senior citizen years were spent shuttling between her children, especially on holidays. She maintained her independence by living alone in Leisure World Senior Community. She was a member of a knitting club and, for many years, knitted hats, scarfs and mittens for poor, young children who received the love gifts at Christmas. She gave money to numerous chanties such as the military, the Red Cross, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Special Olympics, the orphans, and the homeless. She valued her new friendships, especially Martha (now deceased) and Charlene, with whom she shared religious and social experiences. She had great affection for her new friends but never forgot those precious ones she left behind in Bermuda. She missed them and her extended family. Donna, her niece was always on her mind. She spoke to her and her husband constantly.

While her health was good, Hilda was very active In the Wheaton Seventh-day Adventist Church where she served as deaconess. Hilda dove in with heart and soul. She loved the pastors, the members and the feeling once more of belonging to something bigger than herself. Hilda also forged a life beyond the church with her family taking center stage. She loved and was proud of her grandchildren. She indulged them; attended graduations and weddings; and never failed to remember them on birthdays, by faithfully mailing beautiful cards. She was a constant presence in their lives. She placed every achievement and picture out on furniture or walls, ready to point out their stories when someone came to visit. When great -grandchildren came along, she changed no behavior. She loved them just as much. However, by the time the last great-grandchildren were born, her health was failing.

Hilda's last years were filled with numerous doctor probes, limitless pills, limitless dialysis visits, limitless rides in ambulances, and limitless hospital visits. Despite her Increasing medical issues, she was a trooper! After suffering a mild heart attack in late January of this year, Hilda left Shady Grove Seventh-day Adventist Hospital to recuperate at Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She had physical and speech therapy but no strategy
could fix her failing memory and physical health. By February, she became a permanent long-term care resident with dialysis onsite three times a week. She could not move around on her own or bathe on her own. She fell at times as she tried to get out of bed by herself in her weakened condition. She had lost her precious independence.

On June 28th, she fell out of bed once again resulting in a severe femoral neck fracture of her left hip. Her injury required surgery despite her body's weakened condition as a result of her multiple medical problems. There was no perfect solution but pinning offered the least risk. Hilda came through this operation successfully on Sabbath, the 2nd of July. The next morning, she appeared to be on the mend! She sat in a chair for a while and chatted
with her Mel. By the afternoon, there were signs of distress but she seemed to rebound. However, she did not have the strength to continue the fight. She quietly, without fanfare, slipped away on July 4th, at 6:36am. Her son Derrick witnessed her last breath. Di, Mel, Margaret, Jeri, Cal and Kevin witnessed the result of death's mighty hand. No family member could move away from her. The pain too great, the shock too real.

Hilda was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt sister-in-law, teacher and friend. She is survived by her three children - Diana Ming (Melvin); Derrick Darrell (Margaret); and Freemagene Trott; her two brothers - Wellington "Steve" Darrell and John Albert "Bussy' Darrell (Lucille); her eight grandchildren - Calvin Edward Ming (Cindy), Jerilynne Ming, Michael Darrell (Olivia), Kevin Darrell (Betsy),Shane Baisden, Janita Adderley (Shawn), Nicholas Darrell and Carolyn Darrell; her ten great grandchildren - Carina and Cameron Ming; Karissa, Amaya and Isla Darrell; Kimori and Nala Adderley; Scarlett Darrell, and Jacob and Nastassja Baisden as well as a host of cherished nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Rest Mom.