Hilda
Marian “Hilda” Studley
1918–2012
Her life, in her own words and in the memories of those who knew and loved her.
This memorial brings together Hilda’s own account of her remarkable life, a family tribute, photographs shown at her Thanksgiving Service, recordings of the Thanksgiving and interment, and the memories written by family and friends.
Hilda’s Story
Her life in her own words
In October 2008, sitting at her writing desk in Bournemouth and looking back over more than ninety years, Hilda began to record the story of her life.
She wrote her memoir by hand, for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — and for those friends who had become like family.
From her birth in April 1918 during the final months of the First World War, Hilda recalls childhood in Woodford Green, schooldays in Malvern, family and friendships, faith, travel and the extraordinary changes she witnessed during a long life.
And, of course, she explains how Marian came to be known to generations of her family simply as Hilda.
Hilda’s handwritten memoir was transcribed by her niece, Megan, preserving Hilda’s own words and recollections. The transcription was subsequently illustrated and edited by her son, John, bringing together her story with family photographs and other material from her life.
Tribute to Hilda
A celebration of her life
Following Hilda’s death, a family tribute was created to celebrate her life and some of the memories she left behind.
The tribute was written principally by her son, Paul, and reflects the affection, memories and experiences of Hilda’s family.
It was originally produced as an interactive Flash publication. The original has now been recovered and preserved in a modern form so that it can continue to be read without the obsolete Adobe Flash software on which it once depended.
Thanksgiving Service
Photographic Prelude
As family and friends gathered for Hilda’s Thanksgiving Service, a photographic presentation celebrating her life was shown.
The original presentation of 38 photographs has been recovered and preserved in its original sequence and timing, allowing it to be viewed again much as it was on the day.
Thanksgiving Service — Video 1
A surviving video recording from Hilda’s Thanksgiving Service.
Thanksgiving Service — Video 2
A second surviving video recording from Hilda’s Thanksgiving Service.
Interment
Two surviving video recordings preserve moments from Hilda’s interment.
Interment — Video 1
Interment — Video 2
Book of Remembrance
In their own handwriting
Family and friends recorded their own memories of Hilda in a Book of Remembrance.
These pages have been preserved in their original form, retaining the handwriting, signatures and personal character of the messages left by those who knew and loved her.
Together they provide another very personal portrait of Hilda and of the place she occupied in the lives of others.
Read the Book of Remembrance →
In Loving Memory
Marian “Hilda” Studley
1918–2012
A much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Remembered in her own words, in photographs, in the memories of family and friends, and in the lives of those who loved her.