Hilda was born and raised in the Simcoe area. Hilda attended Port Dover Composite School for her first two years, graduating from Kingsway College Academy in Oshawa. Hilda was hired by R.E. Mann Brokers Ltd. in 1979 and obtained her Insurance Brokers license in 1980. In 1991, she took an eight year hiatus to raise her three daughters, returning to R.E. Mann Brokers Ltd. in 1999 where she continues her insurance career.