Hilda Helen Hatzell, age 74, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023. Hilda was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 24, 1949. As a young child the family moved to Clearwater, Florida. While putting herself through college, Hilda worked part-time with the phone company as an operator and at Burger King. She was a Girl Scout Leader. Hilda got her Bachelors of Science at the University of South Florida in 1973, her Masters at the University of Florida in 1979, and her PhD from Texas A&M in 1985. She took a job in Arizona following graduation. Hilda lived in Tallahassee for a while. She ultimately ended up in Atlanta working for and retiring from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Hilda converted to Catholicism and was strong in her faith, becoming a eucharistic minister while in Atlanta. Hilda rescued cockatiels and enjoyed raising them. She enjoyed canoeing, archery, hiking and started race walking while she was in Atlanta. She entered many walking races. She relocated back to Gainesville after retiring. She volunteered teaching English as a second language (ESL) and also volunteered at the Florida Museum of Natural History. She is survived by a nephew and 3 great-nephews. Hilda is preceded in death by her father Leonard C Hatzell, her mother Hilda Hackney Hatzell, and her brother Leonard C Hatzell Jr. Funeral Home Evans-Carter Funeral Home & Cremation Services 18724 High Springs Main Street High Springs FL - 32643 US 386-454-2444 877-294-2201