Hilary Yvonne Carpenter (née Windsor-Martin), ODNW, passed peacefully on August 31, 2025, at the age of 81. Hilary was born June 10, 1944, in Ballycarry, Northern Ireland. The family moved from Northern Ireland when Hilary was 5. Her childhood was spent in Westcliff-on-Sea and then Cuffley, where she met the love of her life, Keith Carpenter. She and Keith were very involved in youth ministry.
Hilary and Keith married in 1966 and immediately moved to Canada right after their wedding, settling in the Eagle Harbour area of West Vancouver. Hilary and Keith raised their two children, Heather and Gillian, and encouraged the girls’ love of dance. Hilary was an active member of St Francis-in-the-Wood Anglican church. Hilary’s dedication to the parish could best be described as a “Martha” ministry – if it needed doing, Hilary would make sure it got done.
Her dedication to the church was recognized in 2013 when she was inducted into the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster. Her citation reads:
“Parish life has been enhanced in many ways by her contributions over the last 40 years. Her practical volunteer ministry to St Francis-in-the-Wood church and its parish can be considered outstanding in both its extent and length of time.”
A celebration of Hilary’s life will be held on September 20, 2025 at St Clement’s Anglican Church (3400 Institute Rd, North Vancouver, BC) at 11:00 am. Following the service, Hilary’s ashes will be scattered in the St Francis-in-the-Wood Memorial Garden, the same place her late husband Keith is lovingly remembered. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Shore Women’s Centre Food Security Programs.
Read more about Hilary's life, HERE.