HILDA D. ANDRADE's Obituary
Obituary for: Hilda Domingos John Andrade 4/20/1918 – 10/4/2013 Resident of Brentwood, CaliforniaAt the age of 95, Hilda slipped into the sleep that would take her to her deceased husband, Louis Andrade. She died peacefully after loving goodbyes from her many family members. She leaves behind four children: two daughters, Lillian DaSilva (Virgil) and Linda Zelinski (Tony), and two sons, Louis Andrade (Terri) and Robert Andrade (Marilyn); seven grandchildren, Cheryl, Scott, Darlene, Bryan, Tracy, Pamela and Denise; 16 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. She also is survived by two brothers, Manuel John and Arnold John, and her sister, Lillian Rainville, along with many nieces and nephews.Hilda was born and raised in New Bedford, MA, to Domingos John and Anna Braga John, Portuguese immigrants, and was one of fourteen children (nine of whom lived). Her next-door neighbor, Louis Andrade, who used to wink and wave at her, eventually won her over. They married in April of 1938 and together they raised four children. In the early years Louis worked two jobs and Hilda worked as a seamstress. When their oldest child married and moved to California, Louis and Hilda and two of their remaining children at home were not far behind. They bought their first home in Hayward and lived there until well into retirement, Louis from Lawrence Livermore Radiation Laboratory and Hilda from Korets of California. They were able to take a well-earned cruise before Louis died in 1984. Hilda spent the rest of her life as a widow, traveling off and on with various family members. She made several trips back to her home town to visit relatives. When her blindness and mental capabilities began to hinder her safety, she was moved from her Hayward home to an assisted living facility in Union City where she resided for two years. She spent her final year with her granddaughter, Tracy, in Brentwood where she was taken for daily walks, was able to sit in her beloved sunshine and played with her great great granddaughter, Isobella.There was so much more to Hilda than can ever be expressed in words. She was a devoted wife and mother (to many more than just her biological children) and was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was a strong woman – proud, positive, upbeat, supportive, generous and loving. She was young at heart and considered herself middle-aged until she reached 80. She was a natural comedian without ever trying or being aware of it, adding fun, laughter and warmth to any occasion, which helped to draw her family members close to her and to each other. Her main focus was always her family, but she made friends easily. She gave wholeheartedly of herself to many and leaves behind a legacy of memories from which to draw now that she has taken her rightful place among the angels. The world is a better place because she was in it. She will be greatly missed.Memorial services will be held at Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward, CA, on November 2, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
What’s your fondest memory of HILDA?
What’s a lesson you learned from HILDA?
Share a story where HILDA's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with HILDA you’ll never forget.
How did HILDA make you smile?