Virginia L. Hilander

Virginia L. Hilander

April 9, 1915 — March 23, 2008

 MONTROSE — Virginia L. “Ginny” Hilander passed away in Montrose on Easter Sunday. She was looking forward to celebrating her 93rd birthday in April.

Virginia was born April 9, 1915, in Chicago, Ill., to Thomas and Aloyse Mulvey. She graduated from Glenbard High School in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Virginia was an accomplished pianist, who taught children of all ages to play the piano, first in Chicago, and later in Colorado.

Virginia married her lifelong friend, Arthur C. “Bob” Hilander, Dec. 26, 1941, in Chicago. After Bob served in England in World War II, they moved to Telluride to pursue his mining engineering career. Virginia, a city girl, had never seen a mountain, but the San Juans became ingrained in her heart and soul. The Hilanders moved to Ouray in 1962.

Bob passed away April 2, 1971, and Virginia began a 15-year career with the Citizens State Bank in Ouray. She moved to The Homestead of Montrose in July 2004.

Virginia is survived by three daughters, Ann “Nancy” (Murray) Olds of Bellevue, Wash.; Eileen Balcerak of Windsor, Colo., and Sally Hilander of Helena Mont.; and grandsons, Damon (Amanda) Balcerak of Greeley, Colo., and Kevan Balcerak of Phoenix, Ariz. Other survivors include numerous nephews and nieces, including Angela (Eric) Watkins of Norwood and their daughter, Sophia June; many friends, and grand dogs, Schuster and Tanner.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, June Cavins; and nephew, James “Poady” Cavins.

Vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at St. Daniels Catholic Church in Ouray. Father Nat Foshage will celebrate a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday, March 28 at St. Daniels, followed by Rite of Interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to St. Daniels Catholic Church or the Ouray County Historical Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.