ANNE CHISHOLM HILLARD

Anne Chisholm Hillard, 91, of Anacortes, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at her home.

She was born on November 12, 1922 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Anne “Bernie” (O’Hearn) and John Valentine Chisholm.

Known as “Nancy” during childhood, she lived primarily in Havre Boucher, Nova Scotia, but also in upstate New York and Montreal.

Anne attended St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Originally planning to pursue medicine, she instead graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

After college Anne spent a brief (but memorable) time packing tea bags for Lipton Tea in Boston.

She then moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she was employed with AT&T in Manhattan.

One of the first female engineers with the company, she rose to the position of Supervising Equipment Engineer.

In 1950 she took a solo trip aboard a steamer to Europe, visiting Paris and Rome. On assignment for AT&T in Kansas City in 1951, she met Kenneth Lee Hillard who was also on assignment for AT&T from Chicago. They were married on August 2, 1952 in Brooklyn and made their home for the next 25 years in Kansas City. After moving to Kansas City, Anne resigned from AT&T and pursued a Master’s Degree in English and taught high school in the Kansas City area.

After her children arrived she became a devoted full-time mother and homemaker. In addition she was a docent for many years at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. In 1977 Ken accepted a transfer with AT&T to Tehran, Iran, to work on developing a satellite communications system. Anne and the children soon followed. While immersing herself in the local culture, Anne also travelled with her family to Israel, the Netherlands, England, Greece and Spain.

When the Islamic Revolution dictated Americans leave Iran, the family returned to the States and Ken continued working at AT&T in New Jersey until his retirement in 1983 when the family moved to La Conner, Washington.

Fulfilling a longtime ambition, Anne settled in Shelter Bay where she and Ken built a lovely home. Anne and Ken spent many happy years aboard their sailboat (Mar-Kei) and were involved with the Shelter Bay Yacht Club.

While Anne volunteered countless hours with the Museum of Northwest Art, she was also integral in the establishment of the La Conner Regional Library and was active with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in a variety of roles.

Anne was predeceased by her parents, her husband Ken, her brother John “Jackie” Chisholm, sister in law Doris Chisholm, and brother in law Henri Lardon. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret, son Keith and Sara (Ferrier); Grandchildren Kelle-Anne Hillard, Jordan Ferrier and Erica Fortuna; Beloved cousin Jean Lardon; Dearest sister in law and brother in law Margaret and James Martin; Nieces Michelle Lindley, Heidi Chisholm, Heather (Matt) Chisholm Owens, Christine Rhone, Anne Lardon; Nephews Tim Martin, Todd Martin, Peter (Elizabeth Ryder) Martin, Brad Chisholm, Colin Chisholm.

Sincerest gratitude to special caregivers Stephanie Lauren Hancock, Meredith Lesley, Kristen Anderson, and Kirsten Morse. Anne loved and treasured you all. In addition, the family would like to thank the staff at Rosario Assisted Living who showed boundless compassion, attentiveness, humor and companionship during Mom’s final years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The La Conner Library Foundation, PO Box 370 La Conner, WA 98257 or a favorite charity. A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Conner on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at 1:00pm. Her ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony at a future date. We’ll miss you Mom. Always. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Anne, please sign the online guest register at http://www.evanschapel.com.