Hilda Gathany

Hilda (Hildy) Denworth Gathany of Lake Forest, IL passed away peacefully in her home after 90 vibrant years of life.

Hildy was happily raised in Swarthmore, PA with her loving parents, her two sisters, and her brother. At age 16, she met her future husband, Van, when he attended Swarthmore College just down the street from her home. Hildy graduated from Carleton College in 1951, and she and Van were married the following fall. Their 69-year marriage was a union of great love, and always served as an inspiration to their many friends and, most especially, to their whole family.

For several years, Hildy devoted herself to raising her three young children. As they grew older, she found that she was ready to reenter the workforce. An English major at Carleton, she landed her dream job when she began working at the Lake Forest Bookstore. She became the owner of the store a few years later, and operated it very successfully for nearly two decades. Always an avid reader, over the years Hildy read a great many of the popular nonfiction titles as well as almost every new work of fiction that entered the store. She knew the tastes of her many longtime loyal customers, and was able to make book recommendations that were tailored to each individual. It is not surprising that the store was such an enduring success.

In their later years, Hildy and Van bought a second home in Egg Harbor, WI. They enjoyed the quiet beauty of their home, and the gorgeous sunsets over the lake that they watched from their deck, but they especially enjoyed creating such a special place for their family to gather throughout the years. The highlight every year was always the official Door County Reunion in August, when their three adult children arrived with their own spouses and children. The many, many happy memories from those days will always be cherished.

Hildy was predeceased by her parents, Hilda and Raymond Denworth, and by her brother Raymond (Chode) Denworth.

She is survived by her husband, Van R Gathany of Lake Forest, IL; her daughter Lynn Page and husband Henry Page of Palm Coast, FL; her son Doug Gathany and wife Andrea Gathany of Raymond ME; her daughter Robin Gathany Shea and husband Kevin Shea of Narragansett RI; her grandchildren Erin, Kristen, Brianne, Dustin, Allison, Adrienne, Lauren and Brendan; and her eight great-grandchildren. Her two beloved sisters, Mary (Denny) Stratte of Milwaukee, WI and Ann (Babe) DeCou of Orange City, FL, also survive her.

Hildy led a life of joy and vitality. She sparkled. She will be greatly missed.

No services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers Contributions in her memory can be made to Carleton College, MN, https://www.carleton.edu/giving/ or the Lake Forest Place Mary Barrow New Hope Scholarship, https://presbyterianhomes.org/geneva-foundation/ . Info: Wenban Funeral Home, (847)234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com