Eileen Lyle Hildenberger

Eileen Lyle Hildenberger, 100, died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, December 4, 2017. She was born on July 31, 1917 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to the late Sarah McNiff Lyle and Henry Francis Lyle. She was the widow of Martin Joseph Hildenberger, Jr.

Mrs. Hildenberger is survived by five daughters, Sr. Mary Frances Hildenberger, DC, Kelsey “Ruth” Zimmerman (Fred), Martha Hubbard (Steve), Claire Ott (Warren), and Eileen “Lee” Lass (Paul); four sons, John (Denise), Mark (Brenda), Bruce (Kirby Purcell), and Kevin (Susan); one sister, Sr. Frances Lyle, OSU; 25 grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. She will also be greatly missed by her devoted caregivers Nancy Williams and Trina Calloway.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Lyle and William Lyle (for both of whom Eileen served as caregiver in their final years); one sister, Rita Siering; one son, Martin Hildenberger; and two grandchildren (Paul Lass III and Mary Frances Ott).

Since her family moved to Lynchburg in 1959, Eileen has been a devoted member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, active in the Ladies of Charity, the choir, the Bereavement Committee, and as a representative of her parish with Church Women United.

Eileen’s commitment to life led to faithful service in the Virginia Society for Human Life.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 710 Clay Street, Lynchburg, on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at noon. The family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, on Friday, December 8, 2017, from 6 until 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Virginia Society of Human Life, 6767 Forest Hill Avenue, Suite 270, Richmond, VA 23225 or processed at VSHL.org.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.