Hilda Hagen (9 Oct 1930 - 26 Jul 2018)

In loving memory of Hilda Hagen who sadly passed away on 26th July 2018.

Hilda was born on Thursday 9th October 1930 at 11am, at 18 Hobhouse Road, Bull Farm, Mansfield. Her parents were Doris and James (Jim). She was an only child.

Although the family were not very well off financially, her homelife and childhood was very happy, and very loving.

Hilda was educated at Bull Farm and Pleasley schools.

Like all children, Hilda was mischevious, and very often got herself into trouble with her mum. She once became locked inside her dad's greenhouse, as she closed the door, not realising there was no handle on the inside, this resulted in a telling off from her dad, as he'd told her not to go in, as he was growing tomatoes in there. On another occasion, she went to the Bluebell Woods, where she picked some flowers for her mum. When she gave them to her mum, she got a telling off from her as...you guessed it...she'd been told not to go there. She had lots of friends, but always craved a brother or sister, and when she asked her mum for one, she was told "I'll chalk one on the wall for you". She recalled how, at a very young age, she and her cousin Bill, would visit grandma, who always gave them a jug to fetch beer for her from the off licence. Once Hilda and Bill had bought the beer, they would have a couple of sips each, then top the jug of beer up with water, in the hope that grandma wouldn't notice. Hilda said that, if grandma had noticed, she never said anything.

Unfortunately, on the 20th December 1939, her beloved father was killed whilst working on the coal face at Warsop Main pit. He was 39 years old. He was one of six men who were killed, when the ceiling collapsed on top of them. Their bodies weren't recovered until 26th December. Hilda was 9 years old at the time, but never a day went by, from that day 'til the day she died, when she didn't think of him. Losing her dad then meant that her mum could no longer afford the rent for Hobhouse Road, so they had to move to 12 Wilson Street, which was a different part of Bull Farm, and about a mile away from Hobhouse Road. Hilda recalled how they moved all their possessions, from one house to the other, on a handcart. Her mum had to have three jobs to support herself and Hilda.

After her dad died, her uncle Everard took it upon himself to make sure that Hilda and her mum were ok, and became a father figure to Hilda. Uncle Everard, and his wife Aunt Lou, had two daughters, Pamela and Valerie, and Hilda and Pamela became especially close. Hilda always said that Pamela was the sister she never had. They remained close, until Hilda passed away.

Hilda left school aged 14, and started working for British Home Stores in Mansfield. She had had two interviews, BHS and Marks and Spencers, and did get both jobs, but as BHS's letter arrived first, offering her a position, that was the job she took, although she really wanted to work at M & S. She wasn't keen on working at BHS, so secured another job at Fairbrothers shoe factory in Mansfield. This is where she met a young man called Norman Hagen. They were both 15 at the time.

Hilda and Norman worked in different parts of the factory, but that didn't stop Norman! He would sent little love notes, written on the backs of tickets, which were then sent down to where Hilda worked, and so a courtship began. In 1947, Norman was conscripted into the Royal Navy, but wrote to each other every day, and met each other whenever Norman came home on leave. They dated each other for five years, and married on Saturday 16th December 1950. Norman then returned to sea for another two years, and again, they wrote to each other every day.

Hilda kept every letter and gift that Norman sent to her.

In 1957, Hilda's mum passed away suddenly in her sleep. She was just 57 years old.

After Hilda's mother died, she and Norman purchased a house, 29 Beckett Avenue, Mansfield, and decided to try and start a family. Unfortunately, after trying for 11 years, and numerous tests, they came to the conclusion that a baby wasn't going to happen, so they carried on with their lives, albeit heartbroken.

By this time, Norman had left the Navy, and was working in a coalmine, and Hilda was working as a waitress at the Bentink Restaurant. One Monday morning, as Hilda was getting ready to go to work, there was a knock at the door. Upon opening the door, Hilda was to discover that she and all thw other waitresses were out of work, as a Chineese family had bought the restaurant, and had their own staff. Hilda then found a waitressing job at Clarkes Tearooms, which would turn out to be a life changing event.

Whilst working at Ckarkes Tearooms, Hilda became friends with a lady called Vera, and happened to mention her desire to become a mother, but that sadly, she was unable to. One day, Vera came to work as usual, but a little flustered, and told Hilda the reason why. Vera's daughter was pregnant, but due to undirseen circumstances, was unable to keep the baby, and asked if Hilda would consider adopting it? Hilda said she would discuss it with Norman, and let her know, which she did. Hilda and Norman decided that, yes, they would love to adopt the baby, so when, on 13th October 1963, Vera's daughter had her baby, Hilda and Norman were overjoyed to welcome their new baby, a daughter which they named Sharon Elizabeth. The adoption was finalisec on 5th June 1964.

In 1968, Hilda decided she would like tk go back to work, but didn't want to be in a job which would mean she wasn't at home when Sharon got home from school. Then, another stroke of luck happened. A local shopkeeper had decided to retire, so Hilda jumped at the chance to own the shop herself. So, a price was agreed, and Hilda and Norman "swapped" their house, for the shop, which also had living accomodation. This was 16, Chesterfield Road North. Hilda and Norman raised Sharon there, and welcomed everyone into their home. It was a very happy home, and was the place where family and friends would gather for every occasion. Christmas was especially happy times.

Hilda was very happy working in her little shop, but in 1980, a large supermarket opened its' doors in Mansfield town centre, so Hilda was forced to close her shop, and turn it back into a front room.

Sharon got married to John on 19th May 1984. The reception was held at Belvedere Banqueting Suite, where Hilda catered for 150 guests, by herself.

Sharon and John had a son, Richard, on 21st September 1986, and Hilda and Norman adored him.

After Norman retired, they went on several cruises, and took Richard on all but one, with them.

In 2007, Norman lost his sight, then he became deaf, but they still carried on enjoying themselves, and living life to the full, going on seadide holidays to Skegness. In 2010, Norman began to have a sore throat, which was later diagnosed as cancer. Norman wad unsure as to what course of action he should take, so asked his doctor how long he'd got left, if he didn't have surgery. He was told 3-6 months. Norman decided to have the surgery done, as he didn't want to miss his Diamond wedding anniversary, which was in 6 months time. He had the surgery, and was delighted when he and Hilda received a telegram from the Queen. They celebrated at home, surrounded by their friends and family.

Norman sadly passed away on 26th July 2014. Hilda's heart was broken.

Hilda continued to live at Chesterfield Road, until she passed away suddenly, on 26th July 2018, on thd 4th anniversary of Norman's passing.

Hilda had had a family dinner to mark the anniversay, had raised a glass to him, and was happy and at peace, when, at 11pm that night, decided to go to bed. Sharon had taken her dog into the garden for 5 minutes, and when she came inside, Hilda was already upstairs. Sharon went up to help Hilda into bed, but when she went into Hilda's bedroom, she found her lcurled up on Norman's side of the bed, looking at the family photographs, and taking her last few breaths.

Hilda passed away, peacefully, at 11.23pm