Obituary of Edith Jacobine Hillgaard

Edith Jacobine Hillgaard passed away at the Brightview Woodburn Senior Living Community in Annandale, VA on November 9, 2021 at the age of 84.

Born February 19, 1937 in Sonderup, North Jutland, Denmark to Christian and Frida (Andersen) Nielsen, Edith was the second of four children.  She attended Luthersk Missions Hojskole (Lutherian Mission High School) in Hillerod, Denmark.  She made many friends at LMH and kept in touch with them throughout her life by circulating a notebook through the mail, each adding their own updates and catching up with their former classmates.

Edith came to the United States in 1968 as an au pair. While here, she met a handsome Dane named Hans Hillgaard at the Danish church services in Washington, DC.  Before her return to Denmark, he proposed and they later married on July 10, 1969 in the Arlington Courthouse.  Edith temporarily returned to Denmark and Hans followed soon after.  They were married in a religious service by Hans’ father, Pastor Kresten Hillgaard, on December 21, 1969.

Returning to the United States in 1970 they had two daughters, Agnes Marie and Kirsten Dianne.  Hans and Edith worked hard to build a comfortable life for their family.  Edith spent decades caring for others.  Some of her best memories were taking care of children in her home daycare.  She was a long-time member of the Danish Club of Washington, DC and her strong faith in God brought her to Grace Lutheran Church in Annandale, VA.    With close to 50 years of service to Grace Lutheran and the Danish Club, Edith gained many close friends over the years.

Losing Hans to cancer in 1991, Edith is survived by her sister Ingrid; daughter Agnes and her husband Ruben Page, grandchildren Theodore, Lannette, Monique, and great-grandchildren Harmonie, De’Ary, and Cairo; daughter Kirsten and her husband Paul Lukas, and grandchildren Monika and Noelle; and many extended family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to American Cancer Society 

Memorial Services for Edith Hillgaard will be on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3233 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042

Visitation: 3:00pm-4:00pm

Memorial Service: 4:00pm-5:00pm

Reception: 5:00pm