Hilary H. Bamford of Provincetown died at home on Jan. 19, 2021 at age 83 after a lengthy illness. She was the widow of Sidney W. Bamford, who died in 2003.
Born in Canajoharie, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Newton and Annette Herrick. She attended Boston University.
In the late 1950s, Hilary moved to Provincetown, where she was active in town affairs for years. She was a founding member of the Friends of the Provincetown Library, and was a member of the Provincetown School Committee, the Cape Cod Technical High School Committee, and the Cape Cod Collaborative. She was an antiques dealer specializing in ephemera and old postcards and was a founding member of the Cape Cod Postcard Collectors Club. She contributed illustrations to the Provincetown Methodist Church cookbook and made linoleum block print Christmas cards featuring family and local scenes.
For 30 years, Hilary hosted The Friday Folk Show on WOMR-FM, playing the rockabilly music of Brian Setzer, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and others.
She proudly raised funds for the radio station by redeeming five-cent bottles and cans and, said WOMR’s executive director, John Braden, “did a whole lot more,” picking up the station’s mail each day, bringing its recycling to the dump, and hosting an annual yard sale in its honor.
She was computer-free and fiercely independent. Hilary described herself as a Democrat, anti-nuke, a peacenik, and a recycler. She enjoyed the New York Times crossword puzzle and Nordic Noir mysteries.
She is survived by her sons, Christopher Caldwell and wife Judith of Northborough and Timothy Caldwell of Sarasota, Fla. She also leaves sisters Fernanda Fowls and husband Steve of New Jersey, Polly Foley and husband Frank of Eastham, and Tina Culver of Owls Head, N.Y. Stepchildren Thaddeus Bamford and wife Brenda of Washington state and Tabitha Bamford and husband Jason of Oregon also survive her.
Memorial donations in Hilary’s name may be made to WOMR, Box 975, Provincetown 02657 or to VNA Hospice, 255 Independence Way, Hyannis 02601.
Expressions of condolence for the family may be left in the guest book at gatelyfuneralservice.com.
