Hilda Zouhar, 91, passed away peacefully in the early morning of December 16, 2024 after an extended illness. Hilda was born in Urbana, Ohio on August 12, 1933, the fourth child of Ruth Dolly (Wilson) Dunham and Eugene Lane Dunham. She had fond memories of her mother, who gave her two more siblings before she passed away at the young age of 39, when Hilda was just 13 years old. After her mother’s death, she and her siblings were sent to live with different foster families. During this difficult time, Hilda’s fondest memories were when she and her younger brother, Roger, would sneak out of their respective foster homes at night and meet at a local fishing hole.

After graduating from McCutchenville High School, Hilda attended the Hospital of Cleveland Nursing School, and thus embarked upon a life devoted to the service to others. After graduating nursing school in 1955, Hilda spent more than 3 years as an emergency room nurse at Cleveland City Hospital, where she later became head nurse in the surgical intensive care unit before moving West. 

In California, Hilda worked as a delivery room nurse at Los Angeles County Hospital, and later met her future husband, Raymond, while working at the University of San Francisco hospital. Hilda and Raymond were married and had two children before Ray was deployed to Vietnam for a year. When he returned, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Hilda was happy to be a stay at home mom. A naturally gifted cook, Hilda was always trying and mastering new recipes. Creative and fun-loving, she could often be found playing games and doing arts and crafts with her kids, and was very active in the PTA. 

When her kids were older, Hilda went back to work as a registered nurse and became a gastroenterology technician at Lovelace Medical Center. She thrived there, loved her team of coworkers, and was always striving to learn more and do better. Hilda especially enjoyed teaching and training others, earning many awards and accolades for her efforts.

Hilda took immense pride in her children and the lives they built. She was especially proud when her son, Robert became a US Naval Officer and pilot, and devastated when he was tragically killed in a training exercise. Her light returned when her only grandchild, Maya, was born to her daughter, Kris. After the birth of her granddaughter, she retired and moved to Montana to be near her family.

Throughout her life, Hilda had a passion for theater and productions; she loved making others laugh and brought a sparkle of joy and enthusiasm to every celebration, fundraiser, activity, and community project she worked on - of which there were many! The more elaborate the event the better - from birthday parties, to contests, to stage shows, to carnivals. Every detail was accounted for, from the food to the decorations, props, party favors, and prizes. She was a talented artist known for her beautifully constructed, handmade decorations, including poster-sized birthday cards and life sized paper mache animals. No occasion was too small to celebrate, and Hilda was great at engaging others and encouraging their participation in her creations. From getting the guys to dress up and do the hula, giving everyone a kazoo or utensil to play along with the traveling jug band she formed, or enlisting players for a round of games or a whole tournament, Hilda had an infectious spirit and true gift for bringing people together. She was happiest when celebrating the people she loved.

After retiring, Hilda continued her work helping others. She volunteered for many causes, including CASA and the Red Cross. She was especially proud of her work as a Community Health Assistant with the Montana Breast and Cervical Health program in Missoula for 5 years. For her work there, she was awarded the Missoula County Senior of the Year in 2004 and was named Montana’s Outstanding Older Worker of the Year in 2005. Hilda also directed many activities at Clark Fork Riverside, the retirement home where she lived for 20 years, from charitable events and fundraising campaigns to parties and celebrations. Fellow residents there described her as “Hell on heels, Incredible, Lovable, Daring and Active”. Her escapades and accolades were recognized many times over, and no matter the occasion, Hilda was sure to make it fun and memorable.

Think of her when you see the Japanese Maple tree she planted by the Orange Street Bridge, and honor her memory by committing random acts of kindness or by volunteering your time and energy to making someone else’s life better.

Hilda is survived by her daughter and granddaughter, her sister Carol Jean (Jeanie) Snyder (Tom), and many beloved nieces and nephews. She will always be in our hearts.