Edmonde "Monette" Hillier

Rosary and Mass for Edmonde “Monette” Hillier, 89, of Tyler, was celebrated at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with Father Lopez officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home.

On November 7, 2012, Edmonde “Monette” Hillier passed away after a long battle of health related issues, in Tyler, TX. Monette was born on September 18, 1923, in Constantine, Algeria, North Africa, to the late Edmond Louie Bedu and Therese Marie Rose Sanino Bedu.

This French war bride met her fiancée, Norman Hillier, in September 1943, during World War II, where he was an ambulance driver and medic with the America Air Corps Medical Division. He often parked in front of the delicatessen store owned by her family. She worked at the store and also drove an ambulance for the French Army. With Norman’s tenacity, he overcame the red tape involving marriage in Europe, abided French law, and married Monette by two different ceremonies, the Civil Court and the Church. They were married with family blessings in December 1944. She was one of the first six war brides ever to arrive in Philadelphia, PA. October 21, 1945.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Omstead Hillier, sister Gilberte Bedu, sister and brother-in-law Catherine Bedu Montoya and Damien Montoya.

Survivors include son, Robert Norman Hillier, daughter and son-in-law, Kelly Hillier Scott and Kelly J. Scott; Grandchildren Kimberly Hillier Wilemon and husband Corby Wilemon, Megan Scott, Drew Scott, and Chad Scott; Great grandchildren, Jake Wilemon, Jenna Wilemon, Hannah Wilemon, and Oliver Scott.

Other survivors include, sister and brother-in law Eliane Bedu Dones, Jean Dones and sons, Jean-Yves Dones and Claude Dones; sister Andree Bedu Bass and the late Samuel W. Bass; Daughters, Kathleen Bass, Christine Bass Chrietzberg and husband Michael, their children Courtney Chrietzberg Hambright and husband Greg, Clayton Paul Chrietzberg and wife Codie. Also, nephew and nieces Jean-Claude Montoya, Annie Montoya Thorin and Arlette Montoya Thorin. Others include a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends in the United States and France.

Pallbearers were Robert Hillier, Kelly Hillier Scott, Kelly J Scott, Corby Wilemon, Michael Chrietzberg, Clayton Chrietzberg, Greg Hambright and Kathleen Bass.