Hildegard, Brisendine

Hildegard P. Brisendine, 78, of Petersburg, departed this Earth on February 17, 2011 to be with our Lord and celestial loved ones. She was born June 25, 1932, and grew up in WW II Germany. She remarked once that the Nazis wanted her for the Nazi Youth Program; but her mother was against the regime, and thus, tricked the Nazi doctors into believing that she suffered from low blood sugar. Therefore, she was not drafted into the program. Because of this event she would swear until her final days on Earth, that she had â??diabetic feetâ?. In 1955, she met and married the love of her life, her American soldier, Wilford H. Brisendine. She left behind her homeland, mother, numerous siblings, culture, native language, and accompanied her husband to America. She learned the English language by watching soap operas. She believed strongly in America and in 1967 became a U.S. citizen. Hildegard was known as the neighborhood mom. She frequently made pancakes for the neighborhood children during vacation Bible School and was often praised at church pot-lucks for her cakes and pies. When asked for the secret recipe for her cakes, she honored a promise made years ago and did not reveal it. Her answer was always the same, â??I just threw it together.â? She leaves behind numerous loved ones to cherish her memory. They include her five children, Victor and his wife Lori, Janet, Joe and his wife Theresa, John and his wife Connie, and Virginia; twelve grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a son, although not of her blood, most definitely of her heart, Alfred Brady. The family will receive friends at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home Sunday February 20, from 2 to 4 pm. The funeral service, to celebrate her life on earth, will be held 1 pm Monday, February 21, 2011 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park. The children of Hildegard P. Brisendine extend a heartfelt â??thank youâ? to all that rejoice at having known â??Our Motherâ?. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Mother is with Our Lord and is having a great time. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .