Hilda Louise May, 100 years old, known as “a woman of great strength,” died peacefully on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, surrounded by family at Chase Point in Damariscotta.

Hilda was born in Boothbay Harbor on May 15, 1913, to Elmer and Addie Bergquist in the house on the corner of School and Union Streets.

She first attended school on the East Side of the harbor, where she was known to say, “Anything the boys do, I’m right with ’em.”

One of Hilda’s favorite childhood memories included: “Doing just what I wanted to do. Father had a garden near where the old schoolhouse was on School Street and I wanted to go out with some people on a boat. I went up into the garden and asked father if I could go, he said, no I couldn’t go. So I went down to ask my mother. I can see myself now putting my nose on the screen door. I told my mother on the way down to the shore that father had said that I could go but he really didn’t. We went to Bath and around the harbor in the boat. When we returned, I tried to race home to the door of the house. I got up to the top step and father came to the door. He was stomping his feet when I came into the house. ‘Come in here I want to talk to you,’ he said. He gave me the devil for lying. I never lied after that.”

She graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1931 and went directly to work in the Western Union telegraph office, which was then on the second floor of what is now Sherman’s Bookstore. She loved dances and fondly remembered dancing at Lakehurst in Damariscotta.

Hilda married David May on December 24, 1933. After the war, David opened the Red & White Grocery Store, located where the 93 Townsend Restaurant used to be and Hilda enjoyed working by his side. She later worked for over 20 years at the Boothbay Register.

Hilda May was considered “home” to her five grandchildren, born to daughters Janice and Joyce. She also enjoyed traveling with Dave to visit with family members. In later years she lovingly knitted 6,000 mittens for a church ministry, always having a giving heart. Hilda enjoyed cooking and was great at it. She could also beat just about anybody at cribbage. Hilda will be greatly missed but remembered lovingly and for being stoic and strong.

Hilda was predeceased by her husband, David May, and daughters, Janice Lorrain and Joyce Bell.

She is survived by her brother, Kenneth Bergquist and wife Julia of Brunswick; grandsons, Mark Lorrain and wife Cheryl of Boothbay, David Lorrain and wife Donna of East Boothbay, and Eric Lorrain of Boothbay; granddaughters, Teresa Bell of Milton, N.H. and Elaine Bell of Dresden. Hilda had many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, October 26 at 1 p.m., at Oceanview Cemetery, celebrated by Rev. Dr. Sarah Foulger.

Should friends desire, contributions in Hilda’s memory may be made to The American Cancer Society, NE Division, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME, 04086, or a charity of your choice.

You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.