Carol A. Hilbrich

Carol A. (Madras) Hilbrich, age 84, of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025 at St. Mary's Home at Asbury Ridge, following a short battle with ovarian cancer. She was born in Erie on July 17, 1941, a daughter of the late Chester and Theresa (Osiecki) Madras.
Carol was a graduate of Holy Trinity and St. Benedict Academy, and worked for the General Telephone Company of PA for many years after high school graduation. The "Phone Company" was where she met her core group of "card club girls", who she continued to lunch with until this fall. She raised her four children then returned to work at Allburn Florist for 40 years. In her retirement, she became a volunteer Judge of Elections for 30 years.
Carol was a member of Sacred Heart Parish for 62 years, serving as a Eucharistic minister at masses and a PTO officer on various committees at the school. Carol met her life-long best friend there, Sr. Veronica Mittal, her children's first-grade teacher, with whom she shared many adventures throughout their lives.
Carol and her late husband, Mike, enjoyed living their best lives on the water as much as they could. First at the family cottage in North East, PA, then as sailors aboard their boat, Aquaholic, with their many shenanigans at the Presque Isle Marina. Carol lived for 9 years in Bonita Springs, FL after selling their life-long home on Maple Street in Erie. Carol enjoyed quilting and crafting over the years, as well as celebrating her Polish heritage making golumpki, and her annual Christmas Italian pizzelles. Her favorite title was "Grammy", and she was extremely proud of all of her children and grandchildren.
"Carol from Florida" happily moved into St. Mary's at Asbury Ridge in April 2024, quickly becoming known as the official "greeter" at St. Mary's. She enjoyed reading at daily mass, doing crosswords & puzzles, and participating in the knitting and crocheting groups there. Although Carol experienced more than her fair share of loss over the years, she was deeply faith-filled and moved through each difficult loss with grace and peace in her heart. She will now live on eternally in the hearts of all who loved her.
Carol is predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years, Michael M. Hilbrich, Sr., two sons & a daughter-in-law Dan Hilbrich, Mike (Jodie) Hilbrich, Jr., and a granddaughter Megan Overfield. Carol will be sorely missed by beloved son and daughter-in-law, John (Jen) Hilbrich of Erie & daughter and son-in-law Mary (Dane) Overfield of Rochester, NY, and her cherished grandchildren Emily (Nick) Boyd of Philadelphia, PA, Justin (Kayla) Hilbrich of Pittsburgh, PA and Jack Hilbrich of Cleveland, OH.
She also leaves her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara (John) Minor, sisters & brothers-in-law Tom & Betty Hilbrich, Janet & David Kuneman, Elaine Boyer, Susan Hilbrich and Kathleen & Ed Ciesielski, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and lifetime special friend, Sr. Veronica "Vern" Mittal, all with wonderful memories.
Friends are invited to call on, Monday, 12/01/25 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street, and on Tuesday 12/02/25 from 12 p.m. until the time of a funeral mass at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Home at Asbury Ridge Chapel, 4855 West Ridge Road. Private interment in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the James E. Mantyla Benevolent Care Fund, Saint Mary's Home of Erie, Attn: Development Office, 1781 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16508, https://www.stmaryshome.org/ways-to-give/donate or Mary Cariola Children's Center, Attn: Karen Zandi, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14620, https://www.marycariola.org/donate-now