HARTLAND – Hilda L. Nutter, 92, died peacefully Nov. 15, 2013, after a long struggle with an inoperable brain tumor. She died at home on Pleasant Street, surrounded by the family she loved and lived for. She was born on Aug. 30, 1921, on the very same street, to Harold and Leona (Cry) Emery.
She graduated from Hartland Academy with the class of 1939 and went on to receive her degree from Skowhegan Business School. She married Walter T. Nutter on Nov. 5, 1942. Hilda worked for the shipyard in Portland during World War II, the U.S. Census Bureau, and at the switchboard at Snowflake Canning in Hartland. Hilda was employed by the United States Postal Service for over 30 years in the Town of Hartland, retiring as Postmaster, a job she truly enjoyed. She was a founding member of the Hartland Historical Society; past member of the Outlook Club; and devoted member of her community. She was a talented writer and fondly recalled gathering news for the local paper. The Ireland Cemetery restoration project was especially important to her and she was very pleased to see it completed this summer. Hilda had many interests and was an accomplished crafter, seamstress, and painter. Throughout the years she created curtains, draperies, slip covers, braided rugs, hooked rugs, ceramics, afghans and many items of clothing for her family. Her home is filled with beautiful quilts she sewed, and for several years she hosted her daughters and their friends on Tuesday nights, teaching them to quilt. Her annual summer tea parties were elaborate affairs that were looked forward to by all who attended, replete with fancy cakes, hot tea and hats. She hunted and fished with her husband, and when her children were young, the family enjoyed camping in northern Maine. In the late 40s, along with her husband, she climbed Mount Katahdin and always cherished her leather LL Bean boots she climbed in. There was nothing Hilda loved more than spending time with her family. She enjoyed large holiday gatherings with her children, grandchildren, and relatives. Many Saturday nights at her home were spent with any family that showed up for home baked beans. She was very close to her sister, Norma. There seldom went a day without at least a phone conversation between the two. Hilda was an avid Black Bear Hockey fan.
She is survived by her four daughters, Barbara and husband, Richard Brown, of Athens, Norma and husband, Michael Munn, of Athens, Jayne and husband, Gary Smith, of Hartland, and Joyce and husband, Kaven Philbrook, of Palmyra; 10 grandchildren, Rachel, Hannah, Kent, Kaylee, Kory, Erik, Joshua, Jennifer, Shyam, and Rama; eight great-grandchildren, Alexis, Wyatt, Seamus, Alexander, Cameron, Caleigh, Caige, and Litah; brothers, Harlan Emery of Hartland, and Clyde Emery and wife, Jeanette, of Hartland; many nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Rebecca Lancaster. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Walter T. Nutter; son, D. Scott; infant son, David; sister, Norma Nutter; brother-in-law, Weston Nutter; and sister-in-law, Ina Emery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Hartland Historical Society, P.O. Box 173, Hartland, ME 04943. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Pine Grove Cemetery, Route 152, Hartland, with the Rev. Tim Curtis officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather at Hilda’s house, 61 Pleasant St., after the service. Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield. To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com.
Hilda L. Nutter
