Hilda Maria Joy nee Unger

Hilda Maria Joy nee Unger, 89 passed away on March 5, 2025 in San Diego California.

Born on January 18, 1936, on the Southside of Chicago, Hilda was the daughter of Robert Unger and Maria (Mary) Unger nee Janisch who emigrated from Burgenland, Austria in the 1920s and raised their family and owned a grocery store in the Fuller Park neighborhood.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Lisa Joy (Doug Porter), Sheila Joy, and Patrick Joy (Barbara) and her two granddaughters, Haley Joy Porter Stanford (Shae) and Zoe Joy Kanga, many nieces and nephews and their children and many loving friends. She is survived by her brother, Rudy and sister-in-law Teresa Unger. She is preceded in death by her brother, Robert and sister-in-law Dorothy Unger, and former spouse James Joy.

Hilda attended St. George Elementary School, Mercy High School, and Mundelein College all in Chicago.

For over 40 years, Hilda was an active member of St. Theresa’s parish in Palatine, Illinois where she served as a lector and was a dedicated and fun-loving Girl Scout leader with the nickname of Broom Hilda.

Possessing a keen intellect and great sense of humor, Hilda was a renaissance woman who enjoyed the finer things in life. An accomplished autodidact, Hilda was never satisfied with learning anything halfway or casually. Once interested in a subject she pursued excellence.

Her homes always resembled a library. Hilda devoured books, incorporating their wisdom into her family’s daily life. She was happiest when sharing her knowledge with others on the classics, poetry, art history, history, the complete works of Shakespeare, biographies, naturalism, gardening, fashion, and the culinary arts. She was one of those rare individuals who would recite her favorite poems from memory.

Hilda was an accomplished baker, gourmet cook, gardener,  and a consummate hostess who curated all aspects of a meal. Hilda believed in preserving the bounty growing around her from the fruit trees and a grape arbor that she tended in her yard. Living next to a wood, she followed the wisdom of naturalist Eull Gibbons in Stalking the Wild Asparagus along with her parents' expertise from the old country, becoming a forager who perfected recipes with her finds.

She loved classical music and throughout her life attended the symphony and opera. There was always a wide variety of musical genres to be heard in her home.

Her children and grandchildren benefited greatly from her wisdom, knowledge, and nurturing spirit. She taught them to deeply appreciate the natural and man-made world in all its beauty, great and small.

Hilda was a talented writer. Her wordsmithing, excellent grammar, and her sharp eye for detail led her to careers ranging from a reporter for the Palatine Herald to Procedures Writer at National Can Corporation and Northrop Grumman.

In the early 2000s, Hilda retired and followed her dream to move to Abiquiu, New Mexico to enjoy the wide-open blue skies and awe-inspiring landscapes painted by the town’s most famous resident, Georgia O’Keeffe. She lived along the winding Chama River often captured by O’Keeffe and enjoyed discovering the beauty, culture, and history of northern New Mexico. She loved volunteering for the annual midwinter eagle counting at Abiquiu Lake.

In her well-earned free time, Hilda enjoyed writing short stories about her life and interests, especially cooking. She became a regular contributor to the Abiquiu News where she shared recipes and stories about life in Abiquiu.

Hilda became an active member of Abiquiu’s Saint Thomas the Apostle church where she served as a Mayordomo and liturgy committee member.

In 2022, Hilda moved to San Diego to receive care for complications caused by spinal meningiomas that eventually left her unable to walk and use her arms completely. Hilda’s indefatigable spirit and intellect persevered, and she learned to adapt and kept writing cherished stories and texts to her loving family and friends on her mobile phone with only her left thumb. Her family is grateful for the care and compassion given to Hilda by the numerous medical professionals at University of California San Diego Hospital, Palomar Hospital and Hospice, Saint Paul’s Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, Villa Rancho Bernardo Care Center, The Shores Post Acute, and Vitas Hospice.

Hilda's family requests that loved ones leave a tribute to honor Hilda below.

A Celebration of Life mass will be held at Saint Thomas on May 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM followed by a lunch at the Abiquiu Inn. Details about the event can be found below. The family asks that all who wish to attend RSVP for the luncheon so they can plan accordingly.