Nancy J. Hildebrand

Nancy Jean Hildebrand passed away quietly Jan 11th 2017 at Whatcom Hospice House.

Nancy was raised in northeastern Ohio primarily in the towns of Mantua and Hiram. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hiram College with a Bachelors in Arts Degree in 1952 and was her class Valedictorian. She also married Francis Howard Hildebrand (now also retired and deceased, full professor in Mathematics at Western Washington University) early in 1952.

Nancy was also preceded in death by her mother Thelma Crane of Mantua OH, father Bennett Taylor (who was lost in the tragic sinking of the “Cleveco” on Lake Eire in WW II ), younger sisters Polly Detweiler of Marion, OH, Linda Taylor of Mantua, OH, and Faye Fedor of Mantua, OH.

Nancy is survived by her older brother Hubert ( Johnny ) Taylor of Mantua, OH, and sons Rex and Jon of Bellingham, WA.

Nancy’s life long avocation was teaching. She taught elementary school classes from 1953 until 1991, except for a two year break as a senior editor at Addision Wessely Publishing company in the 60’s. Nancy taught in schools across the country in Ohio, Illinois, Upper and Lower Michigan, and overseas on Anderson AFB on the island of Guam, as well as 23 years here in Bellingham, WA.

Over her extended career Nancy was always active in political issues, at the state and local political and education level, as well as the National Education Association (NEA) as well as the personal liberties and personal rights of all people everywhere, and the Retired Teachers of Washington

Thousands of young minds owe their knowledge and enthusiasm due to her tireless efforts on behalf of her students as a sort of “Mrs. Chips” if you will.

She will be sorely missed, as a grand lady from a different age of care, concern, fairness, and dedication to others.