Obituary: Maryann Ayers Hilger

Maryann Ayers Hilger

Maryann Ayers Hilger

Maryann Ayers Hilger, age 86, of Prescott, Ariz., died June 1, 2009. She was born Nov. 2, 1922, in Spokane, Wash., spending her early years in Idaho and Utah where her father, Harold S. Ayers, was a mining engineer and her mother, Ruth T. Ayers, was a homemaker. They later moved to San Francisco, Calif., where she met the love of her life, a young Navy ensign, Frederick L. Hilger, at a USO dance. She was not a rule-breaker, but that night she broke the rules and gave her phone number to the handsome young ensign who had fallen in love with her gentle brown eyes. They were married in the First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, Calif., on Dec. 27, 1942, and enjoyed 62 years together before his passing in 2005.

Maryann and Fred resided in San Francisco during the early years of their life together. Like many women of her generation, although she had been accepted at the University of California Berkeley, she chose to forego that opportunity in order to work as a secretary supporting Fred in his education until they began having children. She then devoted herself to the family. They raised four children living in San Francisco, Eureka and then Kneeland, Calif.

In Eureka, Maryann was very active as a volunteer in the community. She also excelled in a variety of artistic pursuits such as knitting, fine needlework and quilting, but she was particularly proud of her time studying tole painting and folk art with renowned folk artist Jo Sonja Jansen. Maryann and Fred were members of the First Presbyterian Church and Baywood Country Club and Maryann was active with the Humboldt County Lawyers Wives and Humboldt Sponsors. After moving to Arizona, Maryann continued to paint and was active in the Toltec Ladies Club. She and Fred were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Casa Grande until their move to Prescott in 2002.

Maryann spent her life committed to her family, becoming "Grammy" and "Gigi" to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had unlimited hugs to give, a lap that was always available, and a unique ability to make everyone feel special, loved, and safe. She spoiled her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at every opportunity, and they will forever remember getting to pick out their favorite foods for meals when at her house.

Everyone who knew her recalls her sweet, gentle nature and her wonderful smile. And she will always be famously remembered for her ability to mobilize in a crisis, often putting dinner in before heading for the emergency room.

Together, Mom and Dad ("Grammy and Granddaddy," "Gigi and Geep") were the shining center of a family who continues to be strong and close-knit. They taught us that no calamity could be so great that it couldn't be overcome with the love and support of your family, faith, a martini, a hot bath, and/or a good night's sleep.

Maryann is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Olsen of Clovis, Calif., Ruth (Dennis) Harrison of Prescott, Ariz., and Judy (Bill) Lebbs of Casa Grande, Ariz.; and grandchildren Lyn (Tom) Scott of Benicia, Calif., Curt (Rose) Olsen of Roseville, Calif., Alysha (Gordon) Hein of Clovis, Calif., Mathew and Kristin Hilger of Maryland, Heather, Denise, Danny and Brian Harrison of Prescott, Ariz., and Billy Lebbs of Casa Grande, Ariz. She also leaves three great-grandchildren, Trey Olsen of Roseville and Rowan and Dashiell Hein of Clovis; sister-in-law Nancy Hilger of Texas and daughter-in-law Anne Marshall of Vista, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick L. Hilger Sr.; her son, Frederick L. Hilger Jr.; her brother, William Ayers; and her grandson, Tommy Lebbs.

A celebration of her life will be 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, at the residence of Alysha and Gordon Hein, 13192 E. Wiregrass Lane, Clovis, CA 93611. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Center Adult Day Services, 826 Sunset Ave., Prescott, AZ 86301, where Maryann spent many wonderful days busy with art, gardening and physical activities during the early stages of her fight with dementia.

Hampton Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

Information provided by survivors.


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