Virginia Rose Hilgendorf

On December 11th, our dear mother, Virginia Rose Hilgendorf died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 67 yrs, Russell John Hilgendorf Jr. A wonderful mother of six: Catherine Hilgendorf, Russell Hilgendorf III, Laurie Diehl (Tom), John Hilgendorf, Jac Hilgendorf, and Tanya Hilgendorf.
Cherished grandmother of nine: Russell Hilgendorf IV, Brandon Hilgendorf, Benjamin Hilgendorf (Diana), Alicia Nichter (Todd), Nicole Diehl, Allison Diehl, Emilia Hilgendorf Callan, Carissa Hilgendorf, and Jude Hilgendorf.
Great grandmother of four: Bella Hilgendorf, Kade Nichter, Brody Hilgendorf, and Jayce Hilgendorf.
Daughter to the late Stefano and Concetta Lauria and dear sister to deceased siblings, Mary Punturiere, Frank Lauria, and Antoinette Field.
Born in Detroit, MI on February 11, 1934. She was always a hard-working woman from doing hair in her home hair salon to real estate agent and finishing as a successful sales agent of the John Hancock Life Insurance Company.
Her story about being hired by John Hancock defined her personality. As a client of John Hancock, she went there to complain that they weren't doing a good job, because they didn't sell her enough life insurance. Her domineering personality came through and impressed the manager so much that he offered her a job. She truly had the gift of gab, but it was more than that. She was quick to offer advice and that was the key to her successful sales career and a loving relationship with her friends and family.
She embraced her Sicilian heritage. It really came out in her relationships and cooking. She spoke Italian as a second language. Beside her children, her pride and joy was her spaghetti sauce And she was always busy. If she wasn't at work, she was doing somebody's hair, or cooking. Her fried chicken, twice baked potatoes, and stuffing are family favorites. She loved to make cookies, coffee cake, and cannolis too. Every year, she made a thousand Christmas cookies and distributed them to her children.
She had a heart of gold and her children came first. She never turned down her children or grandchildren. She volunteered and raised a significant amount of donations from the families of St. Malachy Church for building a new church.
She was an avid card player including poker games, euchre and rummy with Russ, friends, and family.
A celebration of Virginia's life will be held at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 32000 Schoenherr Rd, Warren, MI 48088, Friday Dec. 16th at 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. A church service will be held at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial service at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Rd., Clinton Twp, MI 48038 at 10:00 am on Saturday Dec. 17th.