EILEEN DOLORES HILDERMAN

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EILEEN DOLORES HILDERMAN

(prev. SMELSKY, nee HELLM)

July 4, 1938 – May 10, 2025

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, Eileen Dolores Hilderman was surrounded by family when she passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Personal Care Home at the age of 86 years. She is survived by her daughters Charlene (Rénald) and their children Danäé, Imani and Zuri; Sheri (James) and their children Annika and Simon. Eileen also had a stillborn son whom she named Regan.

Eileen was the only child of Richard and Mathilde Hellm. Born and raised in Winnipeg, she attended Faraday school and later graduated from Isaac Newton. As a youth, Eileen worked at a coffee shop at Eaton’s and later worked for many years in a clerical position at the Winnipeg School Division, retiring in 2000. She also took several courses at the University of Winnipeg as a mature student.

Eileen was married to Ray Smelsky from 1960-1991. She married Jim Hilderman in 2008, with whom she shared a full life with many happy travels to China, the US and the Caribbean. She was greatly saddened by Jim’s passing in 2024.

Eileen’s interests included reading, sewing, movies, frequent socializing with her numerous friends and summers at West Hawk Lake with the Roccola family. Eileen adored animals and was especially fond of dogs and cats. She routinely fed neighbourhood rabbits, squirrels and birds year-round.

Eileen was very proud of her children and especially of her grandchildren. We will miss you so much.

A huge thanks to the absolutely amazing staff at St. Joseph’s Personal Care Home, particularly for their exemplary end of life care. Their support during this difficult time was much appreciated.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2025