Ted died in 1987, but he never really left Hilda’s side. She continued to collect pottery and in doing so kept Ted alive in her heart and a part of their partnership. Hilda had a keen eye and was a shrewd businesswoman: she appreciated the finest pieces and was determined to acquire them. She was kind and generous with her friends, but when it came to business, she was tough. When she really wanted a piece, other collectors knew there was no point trying to outbid her. Over many years, Hilda’s determination and exceptional taste shaped this amazing collection. 

When you walked into her home in Dallas, there was a long entrance hallway featuring one large wall covered in Rookwood plaques. The opposite wall contained a large lighted display case housing over sixty beautiful pieces. Her living room was lit by the exceptional Sea Green lamp with a Tiffany Studios shade, and other works were placed thoughtfully throughout other rooms. Visiting her home was like visiting a museum, and Hilda was the docent. If asked, she would talk about the history, its age, the material, the artist, the glaze, what was occurring at that time, and all other manner of detail that most untrained eyes would never notice. She lived surrounded by memories of a lifetime of love.