Strathmore family keeps on living the life

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

When Henry and Florence Hilton immigrated to Canada in 1910, they couldn’t foretell that one day their five grandchildren of Leonard and Audrey Hilton, all born within five years, would be celebrating birthdays together well into their 80s.
With all five siblings in splendid health, Doug, Ron, Gordon, Maureen and Rosemary have celebrated some monumental milestones over the years, including each of their 60th wedding anniversaries.
While Maureen and Rosemary live in Edmonton and Ontario, the three brothers all moved to Strathmore with their families a few years ago. As the brothers each raised five children of their own, getting together now requires renting out the Strathmore Golf Club, in order to accommodate the families that can swell to more than 70 members strong, considering grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“We get together once a year, all three families, before Christmas and we meet at the golf course and celebrate,” said Betty Hilton, wife of Ron Hilton. “That time of year is kind of mandatory that everybody turn up. And we’ve had wonderful results from all three families that will come and be together the one time of the year.”
Henry Hilton, a tailor from England, became a farmer upon purchasing a homestead in Nightingale. The farm has since been manned by the family’s five generations.
Having organized family get-togethers between the three Strathmore-based families for years, family members said it’s a wonderful chance for everyone to catch up.
One such occasion presented itself in June, when the twins, Ron and Doug, blew out their 85th birthday candles.
“They just keep going, and they certainly outlived the time of their parents,” said Betty Hilton. “Their mom was 83, and their dad was only 75. So they’ve done very well, all of them. We enjoy it, but I think our own kids, that are in their 50s and 60s, they enjoy it too because they don’t get to see their cousins that often. They’re here and there and everywhere.”
Instead of throwing a larger party, as they had done for their 80th birthday, the twins celebrated with an open house.
“There was about 50 of us throughout the afternoon,” said Norma Hilton, Doug’s wife. “You get to know who the kids are, otherwise you don’t see them for years and you don’t even know what their names are.”
However, while the large families share similar interests and values, especially rooted in the agricultural business, Norma said the relationships are based on friendships. And while many Europeans who travelled to Canada ended up moving back during that time, the Hiltons are grateful for their grandfather’s decision to stay.
“I think it’s just having respect for each other, and we’re all different but you respect each other and accept the good and bad,” said Viola Hilton, Gordon’s wife. “We never give it much thought and we just take for granted that it’s just part of it. Our kids and their cousins always had a good relationship as well. So, thank goodness great-grandpa decided not to go back [to England] because that’s how we’re all here.”