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Mary Lucille Mary Lucille Hildebrandt, age 76, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2008, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with a rare and incurable form of cancer. Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Angela McDonald; father, Tetsuro Sato; stepfather, Jose McDonald; brother, Dr. Carlos McDonald; and beloved grandson, Spencer Peters. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, E.H. ("Bud") Hildebrandt; eight children and their spouses: Pat and JP Soden of Sebastopol, CA; Jean and Manny Lucero; Dr. Rick Hildebrandt and Dr. Teri Longacre of Menlo Park, CA; Russell and Kathy Hildebrandt of Friendswood, TX; Fred Hildebrandt of Los Lunas, NM; Susan and Robert Biernacki; Sandra and Doug Peters; and Joseph Hildebrandt and significant other, Monica Spurlock; 14 grandchildren: Alex and Max Soden; Emma Lucero; Nicole, Jesse and Danielle Hildebrandt; Steffani, Aubrey, Bryan and Rebecca Hildebrandt; Katie and Beau Biernacki, and Sam and Libby Peters; brothers: Jose (Alma) McDonald, Edward (Libby) McDonald, James (Mary) McDonald, Frank (Margo) McDonald, and Mamoru (Kathleen) Sato; sister, Mica (Isaac) Ortega, and sister-in-law, Armida McDonald. Mary is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mary had many wonderful friends she held very dear to her heart. Mary Lucille "Lucy" was born in El Paso, TX and graduated from El Paso High School. She and Bud were married in 1950 and lived in Europe for three and a half years while Bud was in the U.S. Army. Throughout Bud's career in the federal government they lived in Texas, Missouri and Maryland. They first lived in Albuquerque from 1960-1963, and returned to NM in 1970. While her youngest children were still in grade school, Mary obtained her bachelor's degree in education from UNM and taught math at several APS schools, including McKinley Middle School. She also taught ESL at La Mesa Elementary School. Mary had been pursuing her Master's degree in Theology when her illness was diagnosed. Mary was a very active parishioner at the Shrine of St. Bernadette for almost 40 years. Her ministries included Adult Faith Formation, Library, and Confirmation preparation. She also taught catechism and participated in many other educational programs. Mary was especially honored to be a lay member of the Canossian Sisters. Besides her strong spiritual commitment to the Lord, Mary participated actively and with great joy in many other pursuits. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her grandchildren, whether watching their sporting events, leading them in crafts or cooking projects, or playing tennis and hiking the foothills with them. She was a gourmet cook, an avid walker, swimmer and tennis enthusiast, a talented artist particularly in ceramics and water colors, a member of the Choralaires singing group, and an excellent quilter and seamstress. Mary greatly relished her visits to their newly-built cabin in northern New Mexico and her travels with Bud to Europe, Canada, Japan, Hawaii, Mexico and the Virgin Islands. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Vista Care Hospice, the Stanford Medical Center and the New Mexico Cancer Center. Your kindness and care towards Mary will always be appreciated and remembered. Visitation will be held at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd., NE on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 6 p.m. A Rosary will follow at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Shrine of St. Bernadette, 11401 Indian School Rd., NE on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 9 a.m. followed by a Graveside Service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. A Reception will follow the Graveside Service. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Mary's name to Canossian Daughters of Charity, Cristo Rey Province 5629 Isleta Blvd., SW, Abq., NM 87105 or Vista Care Hospice Foundation, 5639 Jefferson St., NE, Abq., NM 87109. Go now in peace, Mary, to love and serve the Lord forever, and watch over your grandson, Spencer. Funeral services are entrusted to: French Mortuary, Inc., 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, (505) 275-3500.
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