Helen Hild

Helen Margaret Friedel Hild, 93, most recently of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and formally of Stuart, Florida; Clark, New Jersey; and, Elizabeth, New Jersey, where she was born, passed away on May 13, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Helen was born on May 17, 1926, to Leonhard and Josephine Friedel. As per her wishes, Helen was cremated; her children will distribute her ashes.

Helen is remembered for her infectious smile, kindness, gratitude, optimistic approach to life and always striving to be a lady. Revered by her nieces, she was viewed as the matriarch of the Friedel/Hild family and in the words of one of her nieces, “Aunt Helen was our role model; she was a saint among the living." Helen also had an incredible sweet tooth and always commented that no meal was complete without dessert and that chocolate made everything better.

As a young girl, Helen was a skilled gymnast at the American Turners World of Gymnastics and performed at the 1939 World's Fair in New York. She graduated number one in her class from St. Mary's High School (Elizabeth, NJ). After graduation, she went to work for Merck, Inc., in the bookkeeping/accounting department.

In 1946, Helen married the love of her life, Charles A. “Charlie” Hild, who lived next door to her on Rahway Avenue in Elizabeth. She left the workforce in 1947 when she and Charlie began their family. After living in Elizabeth for five years, they moved to Clark in 1953 and lived there until 1983 when they moved to Stuart, Florida. While living in Clark, her love of dogs was evidenced by the collies and golden retrievers that were always part of the family. This love affair continued in Mt. Pleasant with her daughter's dog Josie.

Charlie and Helen were one of the founding families of the Clark Little League in 1958 and were also founding family members of Roselle Catholic High School from which their sons, Robert D. (’65) and Charles G. “Casey” (’73) graduated.

Helen especially enjoyed reading, bowling, card playing, crossword puzzles, and watching sports during her retirement years. In 2007, a dream of a lifetime was realized when 81-year-old Helen visited Germany, the country from which her parents had emigrated. Later in her life, Helen spent 18 wonderful years in Stuart with her soul mate and partner, Alfred Morrison of Wyandotte, Michigan.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Charlie in 2000. She is survived by her four loving children of whom she was most proud. They include: Robert D. Hild and Karen J. Stark Hild of Westfield, NJ; James C. Hild of Ft. Pierce, FL; Charles G. “Casey” Hild II and Regina Nekola Hild of Atlanta, GA; and, Janine M. Hild Dalva of Mt. Pleasant, SC. 

Also, Helen took great pride in her seven grandchildren: April E. Hild Krihak (Jay), Westfield, NJ; Katherine A. Hild, Columbia, MD; Robert Christopher C. Hild (Johanna), Annandale, VA; Lindsay L. Hild Burton (Jacob), Atlanta, GA; Connor C. Hild, Atlanta, GA; Molly C. Dalva, Greenville, SC; and, Jackson J. Dalva, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Additionally, there are six great-grandchildren: Hannah E. and Matthew A. Krihak; Charles A., Lily A. and Ethan J. Hild; and Sophia E. Burton.

Helen was also the second oldest living member of the Hild Friedel family, surpassed only by her cousin Herbert W. Buehler of Warrington, PA.

Due to the novel coronavirus, a memorial service to honor Helen will take place at a future time.