Saskia von Waldenburg Hilton

Hilton, Saskia von Waldenburg POINT LOMA-- Dr. Saskia Christine von Waldenburg Hilton passed away peacefully at her home she loved so much in Point Loma, San Diego, California on Thursday, August 1st, 2013 at 10:30 am. She is survived by her husband Warren Gross, her children Ian Hilton, Keith Hilton, Avery Hilton, and Megan Hilton and their partners; her grandchildren Ethan Mayes and Claire Hilton; her brother Ottfried von Waldenburg; her nieces, nephews and their partners; her great nieces and nephews; and many other family members and dearest friends. Dr. Hilton was born on September 9th, 1945 in Berlin, Germany to Hildegard and Fritz von Waldenburg. She immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 10. She was a remarkable student having graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Hobart and Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York in three years and having graduated from medical school at the University of Nebraska's College of Medicine. She treated patients in Liberia during a foreign fellowship in West Africa and served her country as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy as a Staff Radiologist at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego. She authored or coauthored over 25 publications in medical journals, authored over 50 presentations and wrote 8 book chapters. Her textbook, coauthored with Dr. David Edwards, Practical Pediatric Radiology (2006) is in its third edition and currently taught in medical schools. She was a Clinical Professor of Radiology and Pediatrics in the Department of Radiology at the University of California San Diego. She was awarded for her work as a Visiting Professor at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and for her service to the detectives of the City of San Diego Police Department in child abuse cases. While Dr. Saskia Hilton's passion for the protection of children was expressed in her professional life as a Pediatric Radiologist, it was at home where she shined even brighter as she showered unconditional love on her family and friends. She was happiest during big dinners at her dining room table surrounded by her children and extended family: There was always room for one more at her table. She loved orchids, jogs in her beloved Point Loma neighborhood, sailing on Silhouette, good food, classical music and lavender bubble baths. She delighted in her grandchildren. She had an extraordinary characteristic of seeing the best attributes in a person. Her optimism was contagious, and her laugh was a roar. Her smile was electric. She had a fighting, rebellious spirit that carried her through all of life's trials. She is missed deeply and will be remembered forever. Among her many accomplishments in life, loving and being loved was Saskia's noblest and greatest achievement and she did so passionately, unfailingly and joyfully. A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of Saskia at All Souls' Episcopal Church at 1475 Catalina Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107 on Thursday, August 8th, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Litvan Neurological Research Foundation at 5450 La Jolla Blvd. D203, La Jolla, CA 92037 or at www.litvanfoundation. com.