Gina "Jean" Dewilde

Gina Hilbrants deWilde passed away peacefully on November 28, 2016 at the age of 95. She will be remembered as selfless, loving and steadfast, always putting the needs of those who she loved before herself. Gina was born on March 1, 1921 in Eelde, Netherlands where she spent her childhood. On June 14, 1947, at the close of WWII, she married Emil deWilde. The following year they immigrated to the United States and passed through New York Harbor before ultimately settling in the Northwest. They were happily married for almost 70 years and together raised four children. She was deeply loved and respected by all who know her and will be greatly missed.

Gina wore a smile, regardless of season or circumstance. Her friends and family will remember her as an incredible listener, only ever interrupting when correcting her husband if he was embellishing another story. Her attentiveness and warmth always made her company feel important and, most of all, loved. While gentle and quiet, she was anything but meek. Gina was a breast cancer survivor and also fully recovered from a stroke in her 80's. She was a proud Dutch woman, unwavering in her perseverance and care for her family.

Gina was preceded in death by her husband, Emil deWilde. She is survived by her sister, Lien Kuipers of Groningen, Netherlands; children Margaret Rudy (husband Larry) of Lynden, Carol Salisbury (husband Don) of Bellingham, Linda Petersen (husband Rob) of Enumclaw and Ed deWilde (wife Sue) of Custer; grandchildren, Tim Rudy, Melissa Wefer, Nicole Salisbury, Ben Salisbury, Lisa Stoner, Amy Haley, Morgan Craighead, Stefanie Erickson, and Jon Petersen, thirteen great-grandchildren, and many loving relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Brookdale and Mt. Baker Care Center for their conscientious care of our mother in her last year. A Celebration of Life will be held at Birchwood Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, December 6 at 1:00 pm where Gina and Emil were active members for over 60 years. Please consider a memorial in Gina’s name to Birchwood Presbyterian Church, 400 Meadowbrook Ct., Bellingham, WA 98226 or the American Cancer Society, 4535 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116. You may share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com .