Vinca Gilman helped launch HARK
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Vinca Helen Gilman, a founder of the Haines Animal Rescue Kennel, died Aug. 14 at Bartlett Regional Hospital of sepsis, according to her partner Mike Greenman.
"She was more proud of the founding of HARK than anything. Vinca loved animals. She couldn't say no to anyone who showed her a picture of a sad-looking dog," Greenman said.
Gilman moved to Haines with Greenman in 1997, following seven summer trips here from California in their motor home. Gilman, who trained seeing-eye dogs and showed Great Danes in the San Francisco area, quickly became known for her black and white Great Dane named Lars, and her old world manners. "Vinca was a true lady," friend Jenny Lyn Smith said.
In December 2000, when she and others met to form an animal shelter in Haines, Gilman gave the seed money. "She plunked down a check for twenty-five grand," Chuck Mitman said. Mitman served on the first HARK board with Gilman and praised her as soft-spoken, patient and eloquent.
"I can be outspoken, and so Vinca was a good foil for me. I'd sit across from her, and she was so gracious that I wanted to please her, and make her proud. She was the epitome of grace."
Born Helen Lorenzen in Vordingborg, Denmark on Feb. 11, 1930, Gilman had an idyllic early childhood in a family that included seven children. Her brother Mogens said she was an expert figure skater on roller skates. Father Ejmer Carlo Adelhardt Lorenzen owned a car dealership and drove a touring car that had been made for the Prince of Wales, the family said.
Life grew harsh during World War II when Denmark fell to the Germans. "Her father was conscripted to work for the Germans as he was a mechanic. He was very active in the resistance during the occupation. The family had a nephew who was tortured and killed by the Germans," sister-in-law Paulette Lorenzen said.
After the war, Gilman studied classical music in Austria, toured Europe with family and friends, and performed in the popular Spike Jones orchestra, according to her brother Mogens.
In 1950, Gilman immigrated to the United States with the help of the Mormon Church. She went to Salt Lake City where she studied music, played cello in the Utah Symphony, became a nurse, and then moved to California to work as a surgical nurse.
In 1953 she married San Francisco dentist and oral surgeon Ward Kepler Gilman, and they settled in Oakland. She helped in his office, trained seeing-eye dogs, and showed Great Danes. The couple also traveled extensively, including a trip around the world on a freighter. "She liked to entertain formally for her husband and they had a beautiful home," Mike Greenman said.
Dr. Gilman died in 1985, and Greenman, who lived in an apartment in Gilman's home, befriended her. "We've been together as a pair for 30 years," he said. The couple took care of their dogs, drove over 100,000 miles in a motor home, cruised and traveled to Europe.
In Haines, Gilman led a quiet life, listening to classical music and completing a half-dozen crossword puzzles a day. She spent her last two years with Greenman at Haines Assisted Living. "Vinca enjoyed the people, but we both preferred privacy and just being by ourselves," he said.
In 2006, Gilman joined the Mormon Church and became a devout convert.
In addition to Mike Greenman of Haines, Vinca Gilman leaves her brother Mogens Lorenzen of Edmonton, Alberta; sisters Greta Lorenzen and Bitten Miller, both of Denmark; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to the Haines Animal Rescue Kennel, P.O. Box 1533, Haines, AK 99827.
