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E-mailJULY 22, 1926 - OCTOBER 08, 2011
RESIDENT OF OAKLAND
Hilda Theresa Detwiler, 85 of Oakland, passed away Oct. 8, 2011 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's.
Born at home on the family farm on July 22, 1926 to Martin J. Ryan and Hilda Mary Gallagher, in Smith's Creek, New Brunswick, Canada, the former Miss Ryan graduated in 1950 from Nursing School in Chatham, NB.
She immigrated to the US a year later and spent the next decade working in hospitals in Boston, Miami, Chicago, San Diego and San Francisco before marrying Worthington E. Detwiler in May 1963 and relocating to Oakland.
Hilda then became a homemaker, devoting herself to raising her 3 sons.
By the mid-1970s she was active in the Charismatic Renewal, often attending prayer meetings several times a week. In a spirit of selfless caring, she would routinely invite downtrodden strangers into her home on the spur of the moment to be helped, supported, and nourished.
Her commitment to higher ideals led her to write prolifically.
Countless notebooks filled with personal notations, revelations, and biblical quotes in her florid Spencerian hand attest to her desire to merge her spiritual ideals with her everyday life, and reconcile her goals to God's plan. This was a great and ongoing challenge, yet her faith -- in greater things to come, and in doing good works as best she could -- never wavered, and inspired all those who knew her.
She also loved to travel (though a 1975 family car trip to Panama very nearly cured this). In accordance with her convictions, later travels tended to be pilgrimages, often to Rome.
Once her children were grown, she returned to nursing part-time and was renowned for the devotion and care she showed her patients.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Worthington E. Detwiler; sons Michael, Paul, and John Detwiler; brother Gerard J. Ryan; sisters Loretta O'Keefe, Kay and Martina Ryan; nephews Gerry O'Keefe and Kyle Ryan, niece Mary Hevrin, and grandchildren, Charlotte and Harry Detwiler.
The burial took place on Wednesday, Oct. 19th at St. Mary's Cemetery in Oakland.
The family asks that any donations be directed to the charity of your choice.
HOLY ANGELS COOPER CHAPEL FD-381
(510) 533-4114