MARIANNE ANNEKE HILDES

Our Mom/Oma went to sleep peacefully last January looking out her window at the birds, trees, and snow with a pink amaryllis in full flower by her side. As she had always wished; those will be her last memories and she never awoke from that sleep.

Left to remember her are children, Elske, Joe, & Dave; grandchildren, Jonathan, Zev, Talia, Yael, Micah, Anais, Kate, & Jack; and great-grandchildren, Carmi and Aiden. Also mourning her loss are her two younger brothers, Jos and Bert DeGast and their families in the Netherlands; the family of deceased older sister Nettie; and many friends in the Netherlands, Winnipeg, and Victoria BC.

Marianne was born in Holland in 1930, living her early life in Indonesia (Dutch East Indies). After World War II, her mother and the children returned to Holland in 1946 but sadly her father was confirmed dead by the Red Cross after the war. She didn’t have the opportunity to attend university as a young woman but took many courses as a senior through U Vic and combined this with her love of travel with course “field trips” to far-flung corners of the world.

In Holland she trained as a laboratory technician and after working at a University of Leiden lab came to Winnipeg when the opportunity arose in 1954. Jack Hildes became part of her life in the late 50’s as Director of the Municipal Hospitals where she worked. They married on July 22/60 and made Winnipeg their long-term home. Mom became our full-time caregiver - much needed as Dad was often away working in Northern Manitoba and Nunavut. 

She was an excellent athlete; rowing in Holland, tennis, skiing, walking, hiking & champion Senior Games badminton player. Gardening was a passion and she moved to Victoria and better gardening conditions in 1995 several years after Dad died. She had many friends there and enjoyed warmer winters and flowers from March until November.

Her last years were spent back in Winnipeg, closer to family as she needed more support. She was enjoyed by her co-residents and staff at the Shaftesbury where she had a smile and wave for everyone, walked record-breaking miles and continued a lifelong interest in collecting “perfect” pinecones and interesting rocks.

We will miss you, Mom, 

and hold our memories of you close.

Thank you for the life lessons.

A service will be held at 11:00am on Sunday, October 13th at the Tamarack Room, Qualico Centre, Assiniboine park.  If you would like to share a story or a memory, please let Elske, Joe, or Dave know.  

Marianne’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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