Agnes Elisabeth Crain

My mother was born Agnes E. Hildebrand in Zurich, Switzerland on March 6, 1919. She had a split childhood between boarding schools in Switzerland and living with her parents in both Hamadan and Tehran, Iran - formerly Persia. Agnes’s father, Heinrich Hildebrand, was with the Swiss Consulate as director of carpet making, which was a very distinguished position. Her mother, Alice Hildebrand, was a beautiful hostess to the many guests who visited the country. They were personal friends of the Shah of Persia. In Iran, Agnes had a small farm near their beautiful home with chickens and rabbits and a donkey, who liked tomato sauce all over his nose. There she was tutored with her older sister, Maria, by Swiss governesses. In her teenage years, Agnes became a skilled equestrian and at age 16 was given her own horse - a wonderful Arabian stallion named “”Sheyton”.

At age 17, Agnes met her future husband, Tom Crain, a US Foreign Service officer, who was twelve years her senior. They fell in love and were married in civil and religious ceremonies in Berne, Switzerland in September 1939. From there they went to Algiers where Tom had a post as US Vice Consul. Their next assignment was San Sebastian and Madrid, Spain, where they observed the hardships of people affected by both the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Because of fears that Spanish dictator General Franco might form an alliance with Mussolini and enter the war, Tom and Agnes made the decision for Agnes to make an arduous 3-day flight to the US. for the birth of their child. Virginia (Ginny) Crain was born in Washington D.C. on July 15, 1941. In July of 1941 and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy 18 months later. Mother and child lived near Tom’s family in Arlington, Virginia where she took the test to became a US citizen. Tom finally returned from Spain to report to his next post in Juarez, Mexico. Agnes, Tom and Ginny resided in El Paso during his assignment, where Agnes grew a victory garden and was a Gray Lady for the Red Cross. Two years later, the Crains were transferred to Santiago, Chile. The fact that Agnes could skillfully ride horses with the Chilian police gave her great delight. She won many trophies-riding better than the Chilian Mounted Police. She also grew roses as big as dinner plates! Agnes had a wonderful way with animals and trained and cared for all the family dogs through the years. She had three dogs named “Lucky!”

The Crain’s next post was Havana, Cuba from 1949 to 1954, before the Castro regime. From there, they were transferred to Paris, France. Agnes found a place in the nearby countryside where they could live, so she could continue her love of gardening. From 1955 to 1960, Tom and Agnes travelled throughout Europe, the Far East and Australia for his job inspecting US embassies and consulates, while Ginny attended boarding school in the US and group homes in Switzerland. Tom’s last ten-year post was as the US Consul General of Milan, Italy. Agnes and Tom did a great deal of entertaining in their beautiful home with a staff of servants. The Consul General position is equal that of an Ambassador. During that period, he was also Dean of Consul General Corps. Speaking seven languages fluently, Agnes was a wonderful and gracious hostess – a teammate supporting her husband’s many diplomatic social obligations –an exciting but exhausting life serving their country.

Retiring after this last assignment 1967, the couple moved to Cavaion, Italy with Ginny and built their dream house on five acres, which was situated on a hill overlooking Lake Garda in the vicinity of Venice. There, they raised olives and grapes. In 1977, they left Italy and returned to El Paso, where they built a house in Los Felinos. They loved the landscape, which was so much like Persia, the climate, the international flavor and the friendly people of El Paso. Tom died in El Paso at age 82 on 11/5/89. As a widow, Agnes was active in the Humane Society, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, took classes at UTEP and enjoyed water aerobics. Agnes also found time to travel the world and visit friends, often with her traveling companion, Susi Edwards. Agnes spoke seven languages fluently – Farci, French, Switzerduech, Spanish, Italian, German and English! A favorite quote from Agnes was” One can get used to anything!”

Agnes celebrated her 102nd birthday on March 6, 2021 under the loving care of Maria (Angela) Gomez and her brother Hugo at the foster home of Villa de Los Abuelos o in El Paso, Texas. She is survived by her daughter, Ginny of Houston and her nieces, Liz Crain of Roseburg, Oregon, Anne Wilson of London England, her nephew, Richard Crain of Alexandria, Virginia and her friend of many years, Jody Schwartz.

Agnes died peacefully, September 5, 2021, surrounded by caregivers who loved her dearly. Angie, Hugo and the residents of Villa de Los Abuelos will forever miss her and are so grateful for the opportunity to have known Agnes. She was an inspiration in their lives with her friendship, wisdom and wit the last several years of her life. She will be buried beside her late husband, Earl Thomas Crain, at the Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington D.C.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com for the Crain family.