Hilda Smith

Hilda Marie Smith (21 October 1907 – 13 January 2014) was a Bermudian centenarian. She was the oldest known person in Bermuda when she died.

Biography
Hilda Marie Smith was born on 21 October 1907 in Bermuda, the only daughter of Edwin and Edna Smith. Raised by her grandparents and her aunt, she developed a lasting love for music, learning to play the piano, harp and tenor saxophone.

After studying in Canada, she taught kindergarten classes at the old Talbot school before moving to Harrington Sound School, St David’s Primary and Elliot Primary. She retired at the age of 65, and spent her later years at the Packwood Home in Somerset, still playing piano for the church groups that would visit.

In 2009, Ms Smith made headlines when she played “God Save the Queen” at Dockyard’s Clocktower to welcome Queen Elizabeth II.

Asked on her 106th birthday about her longevity, she told The Royal Gazette: “I have no secret. I am in the Lord’s hand. He did that. I just did what pleased him.”

She became the oldest person in Bermuda on 11 March 2010, then aged 102, following the death of 105-year-old Esther Bentley.

Hilda Smith passed away on 13 January 2014 in Bermuda at the age of 106 years, 82 days.