Obituaries

ELEANOR HILDEBRANDT (nee HASTMAN) September 10, 1935 – January 6, 2012 It is with broken hearts that the family announces the peaceful passing of Eleanor Hildebrandt, at home, on Friday, January 6, 2012, at the age of 76 years, with her husband Harvey and children by her side. Left to forever cherish Eleanor’s memory are her husband Harvey; son Greg (Barb), Jesse, Joshua, Kevin (Tammy), Rebecca, Curtis; daughters Gwen Gmiterek, Myles, Mitchell; Kim Mars (Darrin), Kandyce, Kelly; Joanne Michaels (Sean), Riley; sisters Gladys Hastmann, Annette Zachar (Steve); nephew Doug Hildebrandt (Kerryleegh). She was predeceased by her parents, Paul Hastman and Elsie Stupak, and sister Myrtle in childhood. In Eleanor’s younger years she worked as a Health Care Aide at the Beausejour Hospital. After her third child she became a stay at home Mom. She worked hard raising a family and dealing with the demands of farm life. We are comforted that Mom has been able to approach death on her own terms by staying at home surrounded by the strength and love of her family. As hard as it was to let her go, we are relieved that she is finally free of pain and suffering. Mom embraced life her way, and went head to head with more challenges than one should ever have to face. She courageously endured many appointments and cancer treatments while being a constant inspiration to all those who were with her during her long ordeal. Mom fought every battle that came her way until she simply could not fight anymore. We will always cherish her strength, courage and hope through the last seven years. She even managed to amaze the entire medical team who treated her throughout her illness. Our lives will not be the same without our wife, Mom and Nana. She was an important and influential part of our lives and was a loving and caring person who placed everyone else’s needs before her own. Her love was unconditional. As her family grew, so did Mom’s love as she welcomed her roles as mother-in-law and Nana. Her life was greatly enriched by the arrival of her grandchildren. She delighted in their activities and accomplishments. Babysitting and visits from the grandchildren were always a highlight of Nana’s day. Nana looked forward to son-in-law Sean bringing her grandson Riley every morning to watch cartoons and share snacks. Most days ended the same way, with Riley, watching cartoons and having bedtime snacks. These daily visits from her little pussycat inspired her will to live and with sheer determination, was able to overcome her struggles with pain and immobility. After Mom and Dad moved into Beausejour in June, she started to receive daily homecare. We cannot express enough thanks for the loving care and compassion she was given. They came into their home as strangers but quickly became our second family. Mom looked forward to their arrival everyday and always had a smile and a thank you for them. We would like to thank her doctors and the Palliative Care Team who guided us through this tremendous ordeal, with their expertise and supportive guidance, day or night. Mom was fortunate to be able to fulfill her wish to remain at home with the support of her loving, devoted husband Harvey. She also had the self-sacrificing 24/7 care from her guardian angel, her daughter Gwen. This remarkable mother-daughter duo accomplished miracles and were quite a team. We would like to thank family, friends and neighbours who supported us throughout Mom’s illness. We will all feel a void without the daily phone calls and the time spent reminiscing and laughing. We will miss her greatly and no one could ever take her place. Our prayers and goodbyes have already been said. At Mom’s request there will be no service. Instead we ask that you consider her wishes and perform an act of random kindness as she has done throughout her life. We sat by your bedside We watched you fade away And although our hearts were breaking We knew you could not stay Love your husband and children Nana was our Angel on Earth And now she is our Angel in Heaven . If our love could have saved you Nana, You would have lived forever . Love your grandchildren A Person so Very Rare She was a person so very rare Whenever we needed her, she was always there. She shared our hopes, our joys, our tears, We are thankful for those precious years. Her life was unselfish, for others she lived, Treasure her God, in your garden of rest, For in our world, she was the best. Wojcik’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Beausejour, Manitoba, 1 – 204 – 268 – 2263; 1 – 866 – 424 – 6271   As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on January 14, 2012