Florence Marie Hilliard

HILLIARD (DABROWSKI), FLORENCE MARY (MARIE), age 81, passed away on November 13, 2010. Preceded in death by parents Joseph and Mary Dabrowski, brothers Mike and Frank Dabrowski, sisters Anna Brobjorg and Michelene Dabrowski, her loving son David Hilliard and great-granddaughter Sidney Markie. She is survived by husband Lennis Hilliard, the love of her life and her best friend. She is also survived by and will be greatly missed by her children Cheryl Murray Neitzke and husband Dr. Robert Neitzke, Joseph (Larry) Hilliard and wife Bobette, and Kelly Lindstrom and husband Doug Lindstrom; Grandchildren Luke (and daughter-in-law Chrissy) Murray, Courtney Murray (and fiancé Rick Markie), Robert Hilliard (and fiancé Heather Borg), Tahnie Hilliard, and Braedon and Brodie Lindstrom; Great grandchildren Summer and Samantha Monchamp and Lance and Lauryn Murray. She is also survived by her brothers Chet and Bobby Dabrowski and her sister-in-law Dusty Emery. And many, many beloved relatives and friends including especially Glenn and Joanne Hohenstein and P.D. and Norene Cozine. She kept us all connected no matter where we were in our individual life’s journey.

Marie (Florence) was born in Minneapolis, MN and graduated from Edison High School. It was shortly thereafter when she met and married the love of her life, a handsome sailor serving our country in the U.S. Navy. Marie and Len lived in Texas, Colorado and Minnesota over the years making Plano, Texas their home in 1975. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on January 6, 2011.

Marie (Florence) will be deeply and dearly missed by her husband, Len, her children and her grandchildren but especially her great-grandchildren who called her Grandma the Great! She spent much of her life caring for children with her special love for them and many, many children and young adults remain ever grateful for the role she played in their lives. With her desire to serve the Lord by helping others, her talents and generosity will also be missed by her friends, relatives and the many different communities she served.

Marie (Florence) had a good life. There was no end to her quest for a life with meaning but also full of fun. She and Len loved to travel especially in their RV and being part of the Plano Good Sam’s Club. Many terrific and life-long friendships were made along this road.

Square dancing was also a big part of her life. Len was a square dance caller for over 25 years and Mom herself danced for over ten years. One of the highlights of this were the times she danced on a float during the Cotton Bowl parades. Many thanks to the Plano Squares for the memories. She so loved to dance.

Marie especially loved her friends in her water aerobics classes at Health South. Every woman in these classes shared the same positive outlook on life, the desire to stay healthy and active right up to the end and to have a wonderful time along the way.

Marie (Florence) loved to do crafts of all kinds and shared her talents by giving them away to friends, relatives and anyone who needed a day brightener. Her special gifts were used to make unique items for the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and she knitted or crocheted beautiful caps and blankets for newborns in many of the local hospitals and especially doing so in the company of her friends with the North Texas Stitchers.

She was also a member of the Ladies Knights of Columbus (Auxiliary) which provided many wonderful opportunities to give back to the community she called home for 35 years. Working hard, having fun, giving to others and serving our Lord…she so loved her work.

Visitation is planned for Thursday, November 18th starting with The Rosary at 6PM and visitation from 6:30 to 8PM. The Mass of Christian burial will be at St Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church, 1201 Alma Drive, in Plano on Friday, November 19th at 10:30AM. There will be an opportunity to say good-bye for ½ hour prior to mass. A reception will follow afterwards and before the graveside memorial service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2:15PM.

Please see also www.caringbridge.com/visit/mariehilliard for family updates and photos. Feel free to sign the guestbook. Your thoughts, prayers and support have been greatly appreciated these past six weeks. Our family is eternally grateful for your love. God bless you.