Thelma Lillian May Himmer was raised in Kapuskasing, Ontario when it was a power and pulp company town. She had fond memories of growing up there, often visiting the community club, which boasted a soda shop and bowling alley, or exploring the river and forests with her brothers.
Her formative years were spent in the shadow of the Great Depression and these early experiences imprinted on her the importance of social responsibility. Transient men were frequent visitors to the family, where they could reliably find a spare meal.
On the cusp of adolescence, however, Thelma faced two tragedies. Her father died and then a house fire claimed the life of a younger brother, Harry. Thelma had made it safely out but went back in to save him, suffering extensive burns to her arms and legs. As it was wartime, treatment was limited and she spent more than six months in the hospital. Although told she would likely lose the use of her hands, she was sent to live with relatives in Toronto where she attended secretarial school.
Thelma enjoyed the excitement and independence of living in a big city. One day, after a dip in Lake Ontario, a handsome young man offered her a towel. He was Harry Himmer, a Czechoslovakian refugee, and he became the love of her life. They were married for almost fifty years, and she took great pride in her commitment to their bond. She would also forge a close relationship with her mother-in-law, Elsie.
Together, Thelma and Harry raised two daughters, Susan and Karen. At the time, it was unusual for women to continue working after marriage, but Thelma wanted to apply herself to a career. She worked at H.G. Acres, a consulting engineering firm, for over two decades, rising to the position of Head of Personnel. She was the first female president of the Niagara Region Personnel Association.
Through one of her husband’s teachers, she was introduced to the Christadelphian faith. Its focus on scholarship and service appealed, and she and Harry knew they’d found their spiritual home. For Thelma, religion was an active practice and she participated in regular, animated scripture study. Faith was a cornerstone of her life and it is impossible to overstate the importance of the ecclesia to Thelma’s life. Through them she was sister, mother, grandmother to a wide community, both nurturer and nurtured.
Thelma was someone for whom family connection was a life-long joy. Her relationship with her brother Ted McKay was especially close and after her husband’s death, he became a father figure to Karen. As a mother, and later a grandmother, Thelma was also able to share her passion for adventure, on whatever scale. She treasured her late-in-life tours of Italy and Turkey, cruise to the Caribbean, trips to the Blue Jays games, opening nights at the theatre, weekly bowling excursions and loved watching big band jazz at Barrie’s city hall. She had recently enjoyed her first Christmas as a great-grandmother and doted on little Javier.
Thelma’s recent hospital stay was unexpected and she fought hard to recover and return home. Her decline was sudden but it was peaceful, and her family is grateful to the staff at the RVH respiratory wing for showing Thelma such care and compassion. She will be remembered as an exuberant soul.