Hilda Catherine Bankert

Hilda C. Bankert December 27, 1924-November 5, 2017 Hilda C. Bankert, age 92, of Fairfax, VA, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, November 5, 2017. She was born in New Baltimore, MI to William and Mary (Krell) Frohm. William and Mary both emigrated to this country from Germany as young teens. Hilda is survived by her six children: Francis, Craig and wife Pam, Tamara, Jacinta and husband Paul, Brian and wife Michelle, and Valerie, fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, one sister and two wonderful men: Vincent Amorosi (USAF, Ret.) and John E. Bankert, Jr. As a young child of under-educated parents, growing up on a farm and enduring the Great Depression did not offer much opportunity. It was these years in this environment that would shape her personal values and be the underpinning of how she lived her life. She taught these values to her children, both by word and example. Her family raised rabbits to help sustain daily life. By the age of 11, she was expected to clean and dress a rabbit for the dinner stew pot each afternoon. Her first job was as a volunteer Candy-Striper, and then a government secretarial job after earning her high school diploma. Earning a high school diploma was not a common achievement during those difficult times. She met Vincent while in Michigan and they finally settled in Maryland, near Andrew’s Air Force Base. After Vincent’s passing in 1956, she met John, married and had two more children. John loved her children as much he loved his own. Hilda continued her work for the Air Force and later, other government agencies, retiring from government service after 33 years. From there Hilda worked for ANADAC Corporation, Executive Aide to the President until John finally talked her into retiring once and for all at the age of 75. They had a beautiful life together, traveled, enjoyed their vacation home in Ocean City, MD, and were the ‘perfect team’, always at each other’s side. John passed in January, 2015. Hilda loved animals, music, dancing, picking strawberries in the hot summer sun and apples in the crisp fall air. Most of all she enjoyed having her children and grandchildren around her. She was an example to her children, teaching them the value of honesty, the dignity of hard work and respect for those that do it. She was not judgmental and treated all whom she met with dignity and respect. God bless you Mom. A visitation will be on Monday, November 13 10 a.m. -11 a.m. at Murphy Funeral Home in Falls Church, Virginia followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. in the chapel. A private graveside burial will be held at Kreiders Cemetery in Westminster, Maryland. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer Association, https://alz.org/.