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MAJ-Britt Hilstrom Obituary
07/15/1932 - 05/04/2024
San Francisco Bay Area artist Maj-Britt Hilstrom passed away peacefully, at her home in the early hours of May 4, 2024.
Maj-Britt was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1932, to Swedish immigrant parents, Dagny (nee Asen) and Roland Hilstrom. She established herself early in life as a multitalented individual, and this would remain the case into adulthood. She performed water ballet professionally, received a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago, sewed her own stylish clothes using Vogue patterns, and took part in music recitals as a classically trained mezzo-soprano.
Maj-Britt attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Zoology. It was on a cross-country bus tour with the Augustana College Choir that she first visited California and was so enchanted by the Bay Area that she vowed to make it her home one day.
True to her wish, Maj-Britt moved to the Bay Area in 1963, and eventually settled in El Cerrito. While raising three children, she attended night law school classes at Golden Gate University and received her J.D. in 1968. She also became an avid tennis player, skier, sailor, and gourmet cook while continuing her artistic journey.
In the late 70s, Maj-Britt devoted herself to her art practice full time. She worked in several media including; watercolor, printmaking, ceramics, marble sculpture and bronze casting. In 1982, she founded the Blue Bay Press, a group of printmakers based at her home studio where they created their art and participated in many exhibitions around the Bay Area. Maj-Britt journeyed to Italy to train at the Marble and Art Institute in Pietrasanta. She travelled to Japan to study wood-block printing techniques at the Yoshida Hanga Academy in Tokyo. Maj-Britt was a long-time member of the California Society of Printmakers, Pacific Rim Sculptors Group as well as the Nordic 5 Arts, an international organization of professional artists of Scandinavian descent. She exhibited with these groups nationally and internationally throughout the year. Her works are included in private and corporate collections around the world, including the Library of Congress. She was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna Emerita of Augustana College and was extremely proud of her Swedish heritage.
Curious, creative and adventurous, Maj-Britt sought and expressed beauty in all her endeavors, from her art, to her personal style (which many friends and family described as glamorous), to her exquisite table settings. She enjoyed attending opera and symphony performances and was also a long-time member of a choir group, hosting many gatherings at her home where she loved to sing and play piano. All who knew Maj-Britt were buoyed by her exuberance and warmth.
Maj-Britt was affectionately known as "Mor-Mor" ("grandmother" or "mother's mother" in Swedish) to her family. She is survived by her children Marta (Linda), Britta (Daniel) and Stig (Katy); brother, Bruce; nieces Laura and Lisa; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She adored and was adored by her family.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, July 13, 2024, at Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary in El Cerrito, California. Those who knew and loved her are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to your favorite arts organization. Please also visit Legacy.com to leave a note in her online guestbook.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MAJ-Britt Hilstrom
Sponsored by Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary - El Cerrito.
Eric, Sheryl, Kirsten, Quinn, Anders, Simon and Curtis
July 13, 2024
You will forever be in our hearts, The Carlsons.
Helene Sobol
July 12, 2024
Photo: "Runic Alpha Book 1" exhibited in the group exhibition by Nordic 5 Arts in "Runes Revealed" in 2016 at the Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland, WA.
I was sad to receive the news of MaJ-Britt´s passing. She was an impressive and accomplished artist and a role model in so many ways. One of the founding members of Nordic 5 Arts, she hosted many membership meetings in her beautiful art filled home. Her participation and guidance during several decades was always appreciated and her sculptures and works on paper were some of the finest works in our group exhibitions. Maj-Britt will be missed, but her legacy as a successful and inspirational artist will endure.
Bertil Åsén
July 9, 2024
Maj-Britt was my cousin and a friend to my wife Gerd-Britt and me. I am sad she is dead and I will miss her. The first time I met her was 1978 (I think) when she brought her children to Europe. She bought a Volkswagen bus in which they traveled in Europe and they also visited my father and mother in Östersund. My father was brother to Maj-Britts mother Dagny. We went to see the place where Maj-Britts grandparents lived until our grandfather (Maj-Britts and mine) suddenly died 1922 leaving our grandmother Anna alone with six children and pregnant with the seventh. Shortly thereafter Dagny emigrated to USA in order to build a better future for herself. I also took Maj-Britt to the place where our grandmother lived when Dagny with children visited her in the thirties. I think Maj-Britt was only four at that time but she remembered the place and she had a photo from it in her kitchen in El Cerrito.
I think Maj-Britt was an extraordinary person, not only for her many skills but also for being warm and caring towards other people and she had a great sense of humour.
Bertil Åsén
Birgitta Asen
July 6, 2024
It has always been a great pleasure to meet
Maj-Britt and I feel very sad that this era is gone.
Since 1977 I have had contact with Maj-Britt, my second cousin. When my father Ivar Asen and I met her mother Dagny, my father´s cousin, in Chicago, we desired to see Maj-Britt in San Fransisco as well. Since then we have had frequent contact with each other as well as with her children. I am so glad to have met her and I am proud to be her cousin.
A very warm and generous woman with great knowledge for art and a very talent artist herself. In my mind she will also be remembered for her personal and elegant way of dressing.
Maj-Britt - a woman and a relative I will miss a lot!
I wish to send my warmest condolences to her family.
Carin Ahlberg
July 3, 2024
It was very sad to learn that my dear relative Maj-Britt has passed away. We both come from the Swedish Asen family. I and my family met Maj Britt several times both in the US and in Sweden. She was a remarkable woman, talented with many skills and with a very warm personality. She was so beautiful and always elegant. A woman to remember and who will be deeply missed.
We send our warmast condolences to her family.
Carin Ahlberg, born Asen
Debra Jewell
July 2, 2024
As a member of Nordic 5 Arts, I always felt close to Maj-Britt as we had many aspects of our lives in common - Midwestern family roots (Chicago, Des Moines), enjoyment of time spent at cabins in the North Woods (Wisconsin, Minnesota), a love of the arts, particularly printmaking (CSP), an affinity for Japanese aesthetics, fabrics and travel to Japan, our Swedish heritage, and that we each had daughters named `Britta.´
I had the wonderful fortune to run into Maj-Britt at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm in September 2017 when she was traveling in Sweden with her grandson. I was in the museum bookstore, and heard her voice which I knew only to be Maj-Britt´s. I walked over to her, saying, "Maj-Britt!!" We were both so delighted to have happened to arrive at the same spot at the same time all the way across the world. We had our picture taken, and toured the museum together. It was such a memorable encounter - one I will treasure always.
Maj-Britt was always so supportive of the artists in Nordic 5 Arts, having us all to her beautiful home filled with her own and other´s artworks, serving traditional Swedish treats (Spritz, coffee, etc.), and sharing her most recent artistic endeavors in her studio. Her joie de vivre was infectious, and I hope to carry some of her wonderful spirit with me, going forward. Sincerest condolences to you and your family at this time of deep loss.
Debra Jewell
Debra Jewell
July 2, 2024
Maj-Britt and `Apollon´ by Henri Matisse, Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sept 12, 2017
Debra Jewell
July 2, 2024
Maj-Britt and Debra Jewell,
Moderna Museet,
Stockholm, Sept 12, 2017
Barbara Stevens Strauss
July 2, 2024
Dear all,
I just wanted to add my personal appreciation of Maj-Britt to the ever-growing accolades. It was always wonderful to encounter with her both in her approach to her art and her stylish dress- we were definitely kindred spirits, I felt! When I fell ill last year, she sent me a card with her apples with the most heartening words I literally have ever received from anyone. She told me I was an exceptional artist, and coming from her that meant the world to me. I keep that card next to my bedside, and refer to it whenever I need encouragement. I'm forever grateful for her generosity and kindness.
Her presence was a boon to all and the world is poorer for her passing.
Tak, Maj-Britt!
Barbara Stevens Strauss
Ellen Faris
July 2, 2024
So so sad to hear that Maj-Britt passed away She was an amazing artist and I always enjoyed talking with her! I think she was one who knew how to live life to the fullest! My deepest condolences to her family.
Ellen Faris
Colette Crutcher
July 2, 2024
I just want to add my note of appreciation for Maj-Britt. I met her in 1979 at a printmaking class at Fort Mason in SF. She was always a powerhouse of energy and enthusiasm, interested in the work of others, always innovating technically, well informed about the world around her, eager to look at and think about art of all kinds, and in addition a very kind and outgoing person with a real lust for life. Thank you, Maj-Britt!
Colette Crutcher
Karen Olsen
July 2, 2024
I am very sorry about Maj-Britt's passing. I didn't have a lot of time with her, but that I did have-primarily at our in-person meetings (seems so long ago now, in this age of ZOOM)-she was very sweet and kind. When I joined the group, she was one of the people who reached out to make me feel welcome.
It goes without saying that her works of art will live on, and with its underlying environmental messaging, communicates meaning well beyond its aesthetic
excellence.
She will be missed.
Karen Olsen
Kristin Lindseth
July 2, 2024
I got to meet Maj-Britt only twice but I could see her flair for fashion and her artistic talent. We are missing Kati Casida, Pat Bengston and now Maj-Britt. My condolences to all who were close to her.
Kristin Lindseth
Helena Tiainen
July 2, 2024
Sorry to hear this. My condolences to all who knew her.
Regards,
Helena Tiainen
Mark
July 2, 2024
This is Colette Crutcher´s husband, Mark. I knew Maj-Britt socially, since before Colette joined Nordic 5. She was part of our larger network of artist friends and acquaintances. Very sorry to hear this news. Maj-Britt sometimes came to our parties and i was always happy to see her. She was such an elegant dresser, for one thing, always very well put together. A rare
quality in this age of sweat pants and plastic clothing. Karl Lagerfeld once said, "Sweat pants are an admission of defeat". My sense of Maj-Britt is that she never gave up, either on her own personal style or her commitment to her work as an artist. Bravo!
Marc Ellen Hamel
July 2, 2024
I am deeply sorry to hear that Maj-Britt has passed. I admired her greatly both for her artistic talent, and for her joie de vivre, and the beautiful way she dressed and looked. She was friendly and fun, also. I will miss her.
Love, Marc Ellen Hamel
Debra Jewell
July 2, 2024
Maj-Britt was a member of Nordic 5 Arts since its beginning. She served as a past Co-Coordinator, hosting meetings and conducting art demonstrations for the membership in her studio. She was also a member of the Pacific Rim Sculptors Group and the California Society of Printmakers. She loved to travel, especially to Sweden and Japan. Maj-Britt was a lovely person
in addition to being an extraordinarily accomplished artist, and she will be deeply missed.
Debra Jewell
Joan Finton
July 2, 2024
Maj-Britt was an artist on many levels. She was a marble sculptor who managed to move heavy pieces of stone with professional ease, and produce elegant and sophisticated abstract works. She was a consummate watercolorist always able to respond to beauty wherever she saw it. As a printmaker, she produced a large body of monotypes and etchings, both traditional and solar plate, many of which found their way into private and corporate collections. Maj-Britt became known for her prints on wood of koi.
Over 40 years ago she created the small printmaking collective, Blue Bay Press, situated in her home studio, and housing a large Sturgess etching press. Early on it consisted of 8 and sometimes more members; by the onset of the pandemic, it consisted of 4 stalwart printers.
Maj-Britt also occasionally worked in metal, producing stunning adornments. Whatever she produced was proudly influenced by her Swedish heritage. And as a fashion icon, Maj-Britt always added a touch of glamour to any gathering.
She will be missed.
- Joan Finton, California Society of Printmakers
Debra
July 2, 2024
I am so very sorry to hear of Maj-Britt´s passing.
Maj-Britt was such a lovely person and extraordinarily accomplished artist, and she will be deeply missed.
Debra
Laura Hilstrom
July 2, 2024
Maj-Britt was always such a presence in my life. Her energy, her laughter, her gumption... all of it was uniquely aunt Maj-Britt. I will miss her thoughtfulness as well as her sharp whit. Miss her so much already. Much love and hugs to you in heaven, aunt Maj-Britt.
Love,
Laura (niece)
Chris Lopez
June 25, 2024
I sang with Maj-Britt for some years in the Sun Choir. I am a soprano, she was an alto, but sometimes we sang alto together. I always enjoyed Maj-Britt's pleasant voice & will never forget her endless patience & calm demeanor when accompanying us all on piano. Boy, did she need it sometimes, lol! Every morning I wake up to a woodblock koi piece of hers I bought when I first joined the choir, so I'll start each day thinking of her. Wish we had had more time with her, but Maj-Britt lived a long beautiful life, & lives on in the hearts & minds of many who loved her. Until we meet again ...
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