Dorothy Hilary, 67
Born: Dec. 6, 1944
Died: July 16, 2012

Dorothy N. Hilary, 67, of Davenport, Fla., and formerly of Bristol, Ind., died at 3:25 a.m. Monday, July 16, 2012, at Hospice House of South Bend following an extended illness.

She was born Dec. 6, 1944, in Niles to Arthur N. and Alice Minnie (Fricke) Pears.

She graduated from Niles High School in 1963 and earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. In 2001, she and her husband became “snow birds,” splitting their time between Bristol and Davenport.

Dorothy was a member of the Elkhart-Goshen Alumni Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and the Elkhart General Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed outdoor activities, including golfing, boating and swimming.

As a young lady, she was an involved mother in her children’s activities.

On Nov. 8, 1969, in Niles, she married Merville “Skip” Hilary, with whom she celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. He preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 2011.

Dorothy’s greatest pride was the family she and Skip created together. She was a loving and devoted mother to their daughter, Michelle Hilary, of Glastonbury, Conn, and son, Dustin (Jessica) Hilary, of Granger. She was a caring “Mama” to her three cherished grandchildren: Anna, Gavin and Gwyneth; a dear friend and sister to Mary Carol (John) Grinnell, of Niles; a caring sister-in-law to Skip’s brother, Richard Hilary, of Copperstown, N.Y.; and a caring aunt to her nieces and nephews.

The services for Dorothy N. Hilary will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence, of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home beginning at 3 p.m. until the time of service.

Contributions in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 N. Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.