Hilde Jean Beskin Van Houten

Hilde Jean (Beskin) Van Houten was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 22, 1950. She and her parents then settled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1953, when her dad set up a private practice as the city's first thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon. A highlight of Hilde's childhood was her love of horses - especially her quarter horse, Kit, with whom she competed in barrel racing. She also enjoyed fishing trips to the Louisiana coast with her parents and two brothers.

After graduating from Baton Rouge High School, Hilde moved to Atlanta to attend Emory University. While pursuing her degree in Psychology, she was an active member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, where she made lifelong friends who have continued to meet for monthly dinners for the past 50 years! In the Fall of 1969, Hilde met her future husband, Cole Van Houten. They dated through the rest of undergrad while Cole went on to Law School, marrying in Baton Rouge on August 25, 1973. She was the "sweetheart" of the ATO fraternity (where Cole was a member) both her Junior and Senior years. Hilde continued her education receiving her Masters in School Psychology from Georgia State University. In 1975, Cole and Hilde moved to the North Atlanta suburbs, eventually settling in the Berkeley Lake area in 1979, where their family lived for over 30 years. More recently, Hilde moved nearby to the city of Peachtree Corners.

Hilde spent five years working in the Dekalb County School District as a psychometrist, but it was her role of Mom that gave her the most purpose. Her daughter Marisa was born in 1981, followed by her son Trent in 1985, they were her whole world. Hilde was the carpool queen for Trent's sports and Marisa's theater and chorus performances. She also had the best sleepovers, joined the PTA and attended field trips. Hilde prioritized giving her kids the best childhood she could and being as present as possible. She and Cole also provided their family with amazing travel memories, from Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, to cruises around Hawaii and through the Panama Canal, to skiing in Colorado and Canada, to a summer roadtrip up the California coast.

The same joy and love she instilled raising her children carried over to her two grandchildren, Clay and Charlie. Whether she was hosting in Atlanta or visiting them in Nashville, Hilde loved to spend time with the boys at the park, the zoo, the pool, and their backyard. She also joined them on multiple beach trips and loved splashing in the waves and building sand castles with them.

Later in life Hilde discovered her love of plants, flowers and birds. She would spend hours in her yard keeping her plants thriving, and enjoyed watching for the birds to visit her multiple feeders. Hilde also loved visiting and enjoying the beauty of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Cole and Hilde were members of the Atlanta Athletic Club, where Hilde could often be found on the tennis courts in her ALTA league or taking an aerobics class. She also loved snow skiing, snorkeling, hiking, dancing, sewing, and cooking. She was an active member of the Dekalb Junior League in the late 1970's and 1980's. After she retired from the Dekalb County School District, Hilde kept busy selling Tupperware and Mary Kay Cosmetics utilizing their party-plan model.

Hilde's cancer journey started in her 50's, but after a hysterectomy and chemotherapy, she had a long remission until it returned a couple of years ago in a more aggressive form. Not one to lose a fight, she was determined to beat it again, she began chemotherapy once more. Nobody saw her final days coming this quickly but thankfully Hilde was able to see both of her brothers, her children, and her grandsons in the final weeks before she passed on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the age of 75. Hilde never showed any bitterness toward her difficult diagnosis or other personal challenges, remaining positive to the end. She will be remembered for her fierce love and loyalty, her incredible memory for details and her passion for decorating with a theme.

Hilde is survived by her husband, Cole Van Houten; her daughter and son-in-law, Marisa (Jeff) Pardo; her son, Trent Van Houten; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. Jim (Beth) Beskin and Dr. Bob (Phyllis) Beskin; sister-and-brother-in law Corinne Van Houten and Mark Anselme, and sister-in-law Olivia Van Houten; two grandchildren, Clay and Charlie Pardo; and several nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held in Atlanta on Sunday, April 26.