MARGIE ANN FIELD

Field, Margie Ann (Hilgenfeld)

Margie Ann (Hilgenfeld) Field went home to be with our Lord on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange. Margie was born in Fullerton, CA on February 14, 1942 to Melvin Delbert and Alma Ruth Hilgenfeld. Although born in Fullerton, Margie was a lifetime resident of Anaheim, attending Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Fremont Junior High and Anaheim High School. She pursued higher education attending Fullerton College, Northern Arizona University and Woodbury University in Los Angeles where she obtained her bachelor's degree in business. While in college she went to work for the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles which was operated by her father, the late Melvin Hilgenfeld. In 1974 she carried on the family tradition and joined her father at the Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheim, which was founded by her late grandfather Samuel in 1927. Margie became and remained president until her retirement in 2013.

In addition to running the family mortuary, Margie was involved with many community organizations: she was the co-chairman of the Sunshine Committee of the Woman's Division of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, President of Anaheim Beautiful, a longtime member of Anaheim Memorial Guardian Angels, Ebell Club of Anaheim, Harp Guild and Altrusa Club, an associate member of the Anaheim Assistance League, and a lifetime member of both the Anaheim Museum and Mother Colony. She served as a board member of the Anaheim Museum, Martin Luther Hospital Foundation and Cypress College Foundation, and was also involved in the Guinn Elementary School PTA, Brownies and Anaheim YMCA.

Professionally, Margie was one of the Southern California Directors of the California Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Cypress College Mortuary Science Advisory Committee, and Vice President of the Hilgenfeld Foundation; and in addition, as a member of the Orange County Funeral Director's Association, she served as secretary and was the organization's first woman President in 1984.

Margie has received many honors: she was the Annie Anaheim Accolade Recipient in 1987, the California Funeral Director of the Year, 1989, the Cypress College Foundation Americana Award-Anaheim Citizen of the Year, 2000, the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year, 2001 to name a few. She and her husband Gary also traveled to Florida in October of 2000 to receive the Selected Independent Funeral Home 50 Year Accommodation Award for belonging to their elite organization.

Through her incomparable enthusiasm and her commitment to meeting the needs of the public, Margie (Hilgenfeld) Field created a legacy of community involvement and civic concern that will long inspire the citizens of her community, the funeral industry, her family and countless friends.

Margie is survived by her loving husband, Gary J. Field; daughters, Becky Areias (Jimmy) and Cindy Wells (Rex); grandchildren, Brittney Stiller (Daniel), Jacob, Kelsie and Kaden; sister, Ruth Hardy (Wally); and nephews, Jim Hardy (Allison), David Hardy (Lisa) and niece, Christy Tapp (Shawn).

A visitation will be held Friday, September 11, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM and Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM with services beginning at 11:00 AM at the Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 S. State College Boulevard, Anaheim, CA, burial will immediately follow at Loma Vista Memorial Park, 701 E. Bastanchury Road, Fullerton, CA. Immediately following, everyone is welcome to attend the reception at Astor Classics Museum & Event Center, 1563 S. St. College Blvd., Anaheim.

Margie was an inspiration, a role model, a mentor, a woman of strength, and a firm believer and lover of God (whom she shared with everyone). We will miss the sound of her voice, the wisdom of her advice, the stories of her life and the warm pleasure of being in her presence. Hilgenfeld Mortuary (714) 535-4105