In Memoriam: Hilda Hutchins McCollum '58

Hilda Hutchins McCollum '58, a resident of Bangor, Maine, died July 10 at her home after a lengthy battle with a variety of health issues. She was 83.

Born and raised in Bangor, Maine, Hilda spent her life giving to others and to her community. After graduating from Colby-Sawyer in 1958, Hilda married Otis McCollum and moved to Washington, D.C. to raise their children, Courtney and Bradley. While in the nation’s capital, Hilda was honored for her dedicated service to several charities when President Ronald Reagan appointed her to his National Commission on the Disabled. In 1995, Hilda moved back to her family homestead in Bangor, Maine, where she was the behind-the-scenes leader of one of the state’s most respected and successful family businesses – Dead River Company.

Hilda was a dedicated member of the Colby-Sawyer community. Elected to the college’s Board of Trustees in 1993, she served on both the finance and building and campus planning committees before the conclusion of her three-year term. In addition to donating her time, Hilda’s generosity earned her membership into the Heritage Society in recognition of provisions made to her estate plans in support of the college. In 2011, she was presented the Alumni Service Award for Distinguished Service for her outstanding volunteer contributions to both Colby-Sawyer and the general public.