During my years as Program Coordinator at San Francisco Towers I worked frequently with Hilda Bell in the process of photographing all new residents coming to live in the community. She was always a breath of fresh air with her beautiful lilting voice and wonderful smile and I thought she was the perfect person to be organizing photo shoots for newcomers. She must have made them feel so at ease. She was also a great fan of my music and never missed an opportunity to encourage me in my musical pursuits which I deeply appreciated. It was an honor, privilege and delight to have known her and she will be deeply missed. I regret that I was called away from San Francisco and unable to pay my respects to her and her family in person. She will continue to inspire us all from the heavens above. Of that I have no doubt.

Hilda Bell Smith's Obituary

(written by her daughter, Terry on 7/6/12)

Our beloved mother, Hilda Bell Smith passed away suddenly on July 1, 2012 at the age of 87, with family by her side in San Francisco, California.

Born June 30, 1925, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, she attended Goldsboro High School and the Woman’s College of UNC.  She married her beloved childhood sweetheart, J. Andrew Smith, Jr., March 16, 1944.  Together they started a family and traveled extensively before settling back in their hometown of Goldsboro in 1969, where she was an integral part of her husband’s Certified Public Accounting Business for 20 years.  Prior to that she was in University Administration at the Air Force Academy in Colorado throughout the early 60’s to put money away for her girls’ college fund.  Throughout her life, Hilda was primarily and proudly a homemaker, with extensive community involvement, and a gracious hostess.

In August 1995, Hilda moved to San Francisco after much urging by her devoted daughter and family.  She was one of the original residents of the San Francisco Towers where she carved out a beautiful life during the past 17 years.  Hilda brought her southern hospitality and charm with her and she cultivated many friendships in San Francisco.  She always remained a gentle Southern lady.

A profoundly spiritual person, she was always dedicated to her Calvary Church and served as a Deacon for many years.  She was a very active member of The Century Club and served in many capacities.  Her greatest passion, other than family, friends, children and her community, was flowers and she had many wonderful memories from her time on the Flower Committee at the Towers and her many years in her North Carolina Garden Club.

She will be remembered for her kindness and generosity, her optimism and ever-good attitude, her strength and determination, her delightful sense of humor and her gracious loving presence. 

Beloved wife of the late J. Andrew Smith, Jr,; She is survived by her devoted daughter Terry and “son” Scott Gross of San Francisco, and daughter Patricia Lynda Harrison of New Hampshire; Four grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law: Diane and Jason Bundas, Lisa and Nils Erickson, Samual Andrew “Andy” and Jamie Hall, Julie and Jon Hartman; and Five great grandchildren: Ian Bundas, Lars Erickson, Matthias Hall, Shane and Quinn Hartman.  She is also survived by a large close-knit family and good friends on both coasts, all of them deeply touched by her life.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, July 11th at 11 am in the Calvary Presbyterian Church at Jackson Street (and Fillmore Street).  A Reception will follow at the Church.  Valet Parking and shuttle service from the Towers will be provided.

She will be interred next to her beloved husband, July 18th, Goldsboro, North Carolina.

HALSTEAD N. GRAY – CAREW & ENGLISH

(415) 673-3000

GiGi delighted in her great-grandchildren (and grandchildren).  She collected little surprises for each holiday, and often gave sweet little presents "just because I love you." 

She really played with the children - on their level.  She enjoyed getting involved with whatever they were doing (or at least commenting if she couldn't physically engage).  It was wonderful to watch her around children.

From Julie (Hilda's Granddaughter):

When Lars (my 4.5 year-old nephew) was beginning to use the words Nana and Papa to refer to his San FRancisco grandparents, he also happened to be calling his big giraffe stuffed animal "GiGi". Somehow, he seemed to make a sweet connection between the cuddly giraffe and Hilda (in the 1 year-olds creative mind) and called her "GiGi". One of us realized that "G.G." is also representative of Great Grandmother... and Hilda's nickname was born.

GiGi became the main way the San Francisco family referred to Hilda the passed 3.5 years. In fact, my sister Lisa and I rarely reffered to her as Grandma anymore...

Even baby Quinn (my 16 month-old daughter), within hours of GiGi's stroke in Healdsburg, had reached out to Hilda and gleefully exclaimed "GiGi!" And Shane (my 3 year-old son) had said to her that night at the diner "GiGi, can I have your cherry?" (from her iced tea, which she gladly induldged).

She wore the name GiGi with absolute pride and she'll always be our GiGi.

From Lisa (Hilda's Granddaughter):

Here is Gigi and Lars reading a book at our surprise pancake dinner at ihop. I remember she got the host to give Lars TWO balloons which is like gold to a 4 year old. Love her so!

From Lisa (Hilda's Granddaughter):

Below is one of the poems Hilda Bell picked for her memorial service. It is so very "her." Thanks for this one last little gift, GiGi.

"There's a bit of inspiration in the dullest sort of day, And worlds of gleaming sunshine behind the clouds of gray; There are golden hours of smiling for every heart-wrung tear, And deep reserves of courage to meet each haunting fear. So be of courage, O my friend, Let not your spirit fail; Find for yourself inspiring things that gloom cannot assail."

From Terry (Hilda's Daughter):

My beloved mother, Hilda Bell Smith, passed away early Sunday July 1st surrounded by family. She experienced a massive stroke while sitting outside watching the sunset at our house in Healdsburg - a place she loved. She passed with dignity and without pain after we attempted life saving brain surgery in San Francisco. My last moments with her were so beautiful and filled with the joy that she has brought to me and so many others.

A San Francisco service is being planned at Calvary Presbyterian Church. Details will follow. She will be buried in North Carolina next to her beloved husband.