Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Hilary Richeldis Catherine Bollman

Nov. 5, 1975 - Jan. 4, 2008

 

South Bend Tribune 1/7/2008
SOUTH BEND - Resting in the sure assurance of the Presence of God, Hilary died peacefully on January 4, 2008, in Memorial Hospital at 6:45 p.m. She was continually surrounded in love, care and prayer in her room by friends, many members of the People of Praise Community, and her family. Often they sang her favorite songs, many of which she had chosen for her wake and funeral. Hilary was born at St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne. Her family moved to Wisconsin shortly after her birth and then returned to Indiana in 1985. She was a graduate of Clay High School and received a BA degree from The University of Notre Dame. Before the cancer prevented her from teaching, she had taught Spanish at LaLumuriere, Michigan City, and Marian High School.

 

She always tried to bring the culture to life as part of her teaching. She had a variety of interests, was artistically talented and enjoyed designing quilts, and learning and planting flowers. She always wanted to have some things to share. She played violin then the viola but finally fell in love with the bassoon. She was a former member of the South Bend Youth Symphony. Blessed with perfect pitch and a soprano voice, she loved to use her voice as a prayer. Hilary knew the importance of sharing and caring. She was always a giving person and when diagnosed with cancer and the possibility of loosing her hair, cut it and donated it to Locks of Love. As a special love gift to her, her older brother cut his long hair and did the same. Two weeks ago, she faced the possibility of again losing her hair, it was cut and is now ready to be sent to be made into a wig for children. She believed strongly in being an organ donor but cancer allowed her to only donate her eyes. Although she never married, her special "baby" was her beloved beagle Rose Margret, "Boo" as Hilary called her. Hilary loved all animals but had a special love for penguins, dolphins and butterflies, and of course, was always feeding the birds and squirrels.

 

Survivors include her mother, Charlene K. Bollman; and her brothers, Robert Jr., and Reid Bollman, all of South Bend. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, John; and her father, Robert Bollman. Additional relatives are in Wisconsin and New York. Because her other relatives are so far away, she found great comfort, love, caring and sharing with her "extended family," the People of Praise. They have always been there for her and her family - especially when her father developed cancer and then for her. Hilary met President Bush and the now Governor. If you didn't vote, you better have a good excuse! Her care has been an example of extraordinary love, especially from Dr. Donald Troyer and Dr. Rose Navarro and Nurses John in Oncology and Amy in Radiation Oncology. They have made her journey much easier. Hilary's wake and funeral will be a Celebration a Celebration that her life as we knew it has ended but now she continues in the presence of Jesus.

 

The wake will be Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at the People of Praise Center, 53666 North Ironwood Road, South Bend. The family will greet people at 6:30 p.m. The funeral will be on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 900 Wilbur Street, South Bend. Hilary has been cremated and her ashes will be taken to the Nashotah House Seminary Cemetery in late spring. Her ashes will rest next to her father who was an Episcopal priest. Preferred memorials may be given to Trinity School, 107 South Greenlawn Ave., South Bend, IN 46617 or to People of Praise Music Ministry. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN is assisting the Bollman Family with arrangements.