Claire Hildebrand

Claire Eliot Hildebrand passed away on June 30, 2015 in Vida, Oregon at the age of 74 from complications of multiple myeloma. Her passing was peaceful, in her sleep, with her husband at her side. She was born on November 1, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan to Charles and Marian (Wilson) Smith. She graduated from Chagrin Falls High School, Ohio and attended George Washington University in the District of Columbia. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She married Wayne T. Hildebrand, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.) on January 23, 1960. She was a volunteer with the Navy Relief Society; and she served as the Chairman of the International Committee at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. In that capacity she inaugurated a cooking school for spouses wishing to learn and share in the cuisine of many different nations represented by students at the school. She also produced a variety program highlighting many of the customs, talents, and art of the many countries represented within the student body. When her husband was on NATO duty in Halifax, Nova Scotia, she acted as a hostess during the Canada Games of 1969. She had a twenty-five year career in all aspects of real estate and retired from her own business as an appraiser. Moving to the McKenzie River Valley near Vida, Oregon in 2005, she became active in bridge circles; and she was an active member of neighborhood book, knitting, and garden clubs. She is survived by her husband, her son Ward T. Hildebrand of Hemet, California, and three grandsons. She was preceded in death by her son Mark W. Hildebrand in 2006. A memorial service will be held at the Upper McKenzie Community Center later in the summer. Arrangements entrusted to Springfield Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary, and you are invited to sign the guestbook at www.musgroves.com.