Obituary

FINK – Hilda C. passed away peacefully July 19, 2009, at Windber Hospice. Born Nov. 24, 1922, in Meyersdale, PA. Preceded in death by parents Sallie (Gnagey) and Karl Christner; also by husband Ray S. Fink. Survived by daughter Sally C. Fink, Johnstown; son Drake C. Fink and wife Gini, granddaughter Ellen Valentine and husband Erik, grandson Joshua Fink and wife Danielle Hendricks, and dear great-granddaughter Lydia Valentine, all of Denver, CO. Also survived by sisters Bette Firl and Bert Adams; nieces Robyn Gauntz, Amy Weimer and Cris Sanner; nephew Dan Firl and several great nieces and nephews.

Hilda lived most of her married life in Somerset, PA, where she was a member of the PTA, Junior Hospital Auxiliary, Garden Club and a lifelong member of American Legion Auxiliary, Post 181. During WWII she worked as a cryptographer in Washington, DC. In 1991 she and her husband moved to Johnstown where she joined the Garden Club, Log House Quilt Guild, Salix Stitchers and the Red Hat Society.

An avid seamstress from her 20’s, Hilda made every kind of women’s clothing including coats, suits, dresses, skirts, blouses, slacks, even lingerie. She also tailored men’s suits and made literally hundreds of hats and handbags. For many years she taught adult classes in sewing and tailoring. She also quilted, creating hand-sewn and machine-stitched quilts from small artsy wall hangings to queen-sized bed quilts. Hilda showed her quilt collection four times at the Community Arts Center in Johnstown, the most recent in June of this year.

A gathering of family and friends and celebration of Hilda will be held at the family’s convenience at a later date. Arrangements by Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., 146 Chandler Ave. Exclusive provider of Veteran’s and Family Memorial Care. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to them, in care of the funeral home, to offset medical and funeral costs.