Irene Hiller was my 4th grade teacher in 1976 at Milton Elementary. She taught me to love poetry. We gifted her the works of Emily Dickinson as a going away present that year. I memorized Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. She charged us with memorizing the states and the presidents. I can still sing the song to this day. We listened to the Beatles on Fridays while exploring Monet and Van Gogh. She made me believe learning was a privilege and I ate it up. I’ve been teaching now 28 years and not a day goes by that I don’t feel grateful for the passion I gleaned from Mrs. Hillger.  I was Babby Bibeau at the time and she was the Wizard of Oz to me. I am the teacher I am because of Irene Hillger. 

I was organizing my bookshelves just the other day, and found a book that was a gift from Irene. On a whim, I looked up her name and found this; Her Memorial.

It has been quite some time since I have seen her, but in all my years at the Tacoma Public Library (25) I am hard pressed to think of a Patron that I remember with more fondness.

Every time she visited the Library (when I was fortunate enough to serve her. .) we would always have an interesting conversation. She was knowledgable, sassy, cantankerous, with just the right amount of 'curmudgeonly'. Being a curmudgeon myself, I have a keen appreciation when I meet a rare example of my kind. 

She was truly One-of-a-Kind and I have missed her wit and charm for some time.

I cannot claim to be a friend of the family, though I did meet one of her daughters when they visited the Library together on at least one occasion.

At the last, I think I can comfortably say this:

In all of our (too few) conversations and interactions I am sure I only scratched the surface of the Person who was Irene Hillger. My own joy in recollection, and sadness in the knowledge of her passing is surely dwarfed by that of her family and friends.

My deepest condolences go out to you all. As for myself, I know that I am fortunate to have met her. My life is all the richer for it.

Be Well
Angelo DeFazio

11/10/2015

Dear Jenny & Vicky & Family:
May her loving memory strengthen you.  Peace and Blessings to you, Mike & Diane


I am so sorry for your loss.  Please know caring thoughts are with you during this most difficult time.  Let God replace your grief with hope - your anguish with peace. The Bible promises, in the future, a time when sickness, pain and death will no longer exist. Revelation 21:4 guarantees, "And He (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and Death Will Be No More, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain, be anymore..."  Until then, may this promise comfort you and bring you hope.  With deepest sympathy.

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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Irene M. Hillger

19 March, 1923 – 25 September, 2015

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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