Nelly "Michette" Julie Hiett

Nelly Julie “Michette” (Thirifays) Hiett, age 87, of North Canton, OH, passed away April 26, 2022 following an extended illness. She was born March 4, 1935 in Robertville, Belgium and attended college in England. During the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium she worked as a hotel receptionist where she met Sam who was in the U.S. Air Force stationed in England. He stopped and asked her for directions. Michette moved to the U.S. in August 1959 to marry her loving husband of 62 years, George Perry Samuel Hiett who preceded her in death November 2021, and her son Michael P. Hiett who passed in 1993. She was also preceded in death by parents Rodolphe and Jeanne Thirifays, brother Jean B. Thirifays, and sisters Simone Thirifays-Lendent and Monique Thirifays - all of Belgium.

She is survived by her son Philip V. Hiett (Brigitte) of Venice, FL, daughter Michele E. Bilbrey (Timothy) of Loveland, OH; four grandchildren: Michael and Matthew Hiett, and Joshua and Jessica Bilbrey. Surviving in Belgium, sister-in-law Lisette Thirifays-Blavier, nieces and nephews. Also many friends in Belgium and U.S.

In early childhood her family survived 5 years of Nazi-German occupation during World War II. Following the liberation of her hometown of Verviers in 1944, her family welcomed many American G.I.s soldiers into their home. Sadly, on December 16, 1944, the Nazis returned and launched the largest land battle of WWII into Belgium, known as the “Battle of the Bulge”. Once living in the U.S., she visited a few of those surviving G.I.’s. Michette was appointed an honorary member of the Ohio Buckeye #1 Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes. Michette was interviewed in an amazing YouTube video titled “Growing Up in Nazi-Occupied Belgium Memoirs of WWII #9.”

In appreciation for the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who freed Belgium, Michette gave many talks regarding her childhood memories of WWII. She was naturalized as a U.S. Citizen in 1976 and delivered the ceremonial speech. In 1997, she was a guest speaker per request of Congressman Ralph Regula at the “Jubilee Medal Presentation” in Canton, OH for 250 military veterans of D-Day Invasion in 1944 in Normandy, France.

Michette attended Zoar United Church of Christ. She was a member and past president of the Walsh University French Club. She tutored French, her native language, and also spoke Italian and German. As a breast cancer survivor she volunteered for the American Cancer Society’s “Reach to Recovery” program. Michette enjoyed spending time with family and friends, entertaining, gardening, cooking, sewing, knitting, hiking, traveling, photography, scrapbooking, dancing, and attending cultural events.

Funeral services will begin Saturday April 30, at 10:30 AM at Karlo-Libby Funeral Home, 5000 Everhard Rd NW, Canton, OH 44718. Family and friends will be received from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Following the service, a private family interment will be at Sunset Hills Memorial Gardens, North Canton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made with her son Michael in mind to the American Brain Tumor Association www.abta.org or 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631.

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