We loved Hilary and we, her family and friends, miss her deeply already.

We were all shocked to receive the news of her sudden passing over the weekend. Even though we are spread across the world, it was important to her to remain connected to and invested in our daily lives.

She had opportunities to spend the last few months of her life with her family and friends in Israel, Australia, and Cape Town. We can’t place a value on our time with her, and the memories we shared with her over this time, in particular.

Hilary gave generously of her time to a number of communities. Her dedication is evident from her decades of work at Wits University, more recently, from her contributions to voluntary and charity organisations, and her friendship through her social groups.

She dedicated herself to our father, Peter, and her partner, Ashley, in times of happiness and vulnerability.

The impact she has had in various areas of her life is evident from the diversity of people who gathered at her funeral and afterwards to honour her.

She was at her best hosting family and friends, cooking and baking for us. Each of us has a favourite dish, dessert or biscuits.

Her embroidery beautifully embodies her love and creativity. She derived so much joy from her embroidery, and she has passed on to her children and grandchildren.

It is fitting that she was laid to rest beside her late husband, and our father.

Jacobson, Sack, and Sher families

10 responses to “Home”

  1. Jodi Finkelstein Avatar
    Jodi Finkelstein

    This is such a great, and very special idea. I have so many beautiful memories of Hil. Just to name a few… I remember watching her knit while Liv and I attempted ballet classes when we were about 5 or 6 years old. I remember our high school years – spending many times in her very fast red car. Liv, Asher and I being flung from side to side in the back seat as we turned corners at speed. I remember her big smile as she watched us sliding, and seeing her laughing in her rear view mirror. I remember many tea parties and sleep overs. I remember tennis lessons with Liv and Asher… looking up and seeing her giggling or sometimes covering her eyes in disbelief of our ‘tennis prowess’. I remember her encouraging Liv and I to beat Paul and his friends in a netball / basketball shooting competition – she always said that she knew us girls could beat the boys… and we did! I remember dancing with her at Liv and Len’s wedding (even though she was reluctant as I may have been a bit wild in those days). She always had her ‘happy to see you’ smile on her face, and that never changed over all the years. In more recent years, she became known and loved by my kids. They fondly referred to her as Bobba Hil. She will always be remembered and will always in our hearts and minds. My love and deepest sympathies goes out to my special friendi Liv, and to Paul and Ash, and to the family and everyone who knew Bobba Hil. We wish you strength during this incredibly sad and difficult time. A shockingly sudden loss that shook us all. Hilary’s memory is a blessing to all of us. Lots of love and hugs xxxooo

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Moira and Graham Guttenberg Avatar
    Moira and Graham Guttenberg

    My dear friend Hil, as she liked to be called, I shall miss you always and treasure the memories of the times we spent together especially a few weeks ago (it seems like yesterday). It was such a shock to hear of your sudden passing, my heart goes out to Paul, Olivia, Asher and Ronnie. May the memories you have made over the years be of comfort to you. Hil was a very special, warm, loving and generous lady. Rest in peace my dear friend. You are much loved.

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  3. There are no words to describe what a special woman Hilary was
    Not a day will go by without us thinking of her
    I will certainly miss my calls to her so i cannot begin to imagine how her family feel
    We all mourn the loss of a beautiful kind and caring friend.
    Her passing has left a huge void in the lives of many
    Rest peacefully special friend

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Moira Guttenberg Avatar
    Moira Guttenberg

    Sharing memories, from 40 or so years ago . Hil would always remind me how I would drive into her driveway, stop the kombi, and my four kids would, in Hil’s words barrel out of the car and into her house. Not long after arriving they would rush into the kitchen to see what Hil had made for tea. Always a delicious spread. The kids would wreak havoc until they were called for tea.
    Hil always had a project, an embroidered item for one of the family members. Her handwork is beautiful.
    You may ask why I refer to my dear friend as Hil. I once messaged her Dear Hilary. She replied asking if I was angry, which of course I was not. She said to call her Hil. It felt much more friendly and from then on she became Hil, my beautiful, special friend, gone too soon.

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  5. As everyone else is feeling, I am stunned at the loss of my dearest friend. Hil you were one of a kind and nothing was ever too much for you. You had a heart of gold and after 56 years of friendship we were still there for each other. ” A special friend is hard to find, hard to lose and impossible to forget. True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but not in the heart.” love you always my dear friend

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  6. Thinking of you every day. See jokes and movies I would love to share with you, but I will keep them in my memories and still have a laugh as of you were there 😢

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Dearest Hil,
    Words cannot even express what you mean to me. It’s taken me a few days to be able to summon the words to explain the insurmountable affect you had on not only my life but also the lives of all around us. You are warm, you are kind, caring, friendly, talented, clever, witty, funny, loving and so much more. And I can only talk of you in the present tense as I refuse to believe you are gone onto the next life or some other dimension.
    You welcomed me into the family without question and made me want to become part of the Jewish community here in South Africa. You regaled me with the most entertaining and funny stories, sharing recipes and life tips and accepting me from the word go. How you were able to share 12 incredible years with Ashley brought so much love and joy not only to his life but brought amazing joy to all of his children! The way in which you loved your family immensely will never leave me…the way your eyes lit up when you talked of Sam, Ezra, Faith, Aaron, Ariella, Kayla and your kids and Pete was just a joy to witness and so evident.
    I will cherish forever the beautiful embroidery gifts you made for me and the baby blanket you made for Sienna at birth. You have such talent and artistry and I immensely enjoyed going to pick out fabric with you and discussing which bush animals you would embroider for Sisi.
    Hil- you made a massive impact on all our lives. To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die. Forever in our hearts. I thank you for your love which you gave and asked for nothing in return.
    We love you.
    Lisa, Rowan, Sienna, Jayce xxx

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Moira Guttenberg Avatar
    Moira Guttenberg

    I don’t stop thinking of you Hil. Sharing our news. Talking about our kids. Reminiscing about years gone by. I have a recent memory to share. When Hil was here in January we went out for a few brunches and always had poached eggs on toast, sometimes with salmon or tomatoes. Hil would always ask for jam to have on the 2nd piece of toast. I started doing the same and will probably make it a Hilary ritual for future brunches. ❤️. Keep the memories flowing. 🤗💔

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  9. On the eve of our Hils birthday , I would have asked Ev ( my wife) if she would be calling or messaging Hil tomorrow to wish her happy birthday . HIL and I were both June babies so her b’dy was one I never forgot. Rather , tomorrow has a different meaning to it – one of great sorrow and loss . As the youngest of the Kitay / Sher clan , I was the baby cousin but Hil never treated me in those earlier years as anything other than her equal and that meant a lot to me . In early Feb this year , Hil joined my family in Perth in celebrating my grand daughter, Chana ‘s Batmitzvah ; and so my brothers Martin and Stan , together with Ev Lynda and Ro and out parents Eli and Hazel (99 and 95 respectively, ) had the opportunity to be with Hil for several days in a most joyous environment. That’s the last time we saw Hil and so that simcha has become so special to all the Kitay fam from Aus and Canada .
    Our thoughts continue to be with Liv Paul Ash and respective spouses and children . HIL spoke very often when in our company of her children and especially her grandchildren . We miss our cousin Hil very much . Let’s all do a mitzvah tomorrow in Hils memory to remember her and elevate her soul 🔯

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Moira Guttenberg Avatar
      Moira Guttenberg

      Hi Mervyn, I am so grateful that Hil was able to visit Australia in February. Her visit to Melbourne not only allowed her to see Liv and her family but afforded me the honour of spending a number of days with Hil going on walks, having lunch and generally talking about family and our history together. I’m also a June “baby” so have my birthday 4 days before Hil. Yesterday, Hils birthday in Melbourne time, was really sad. I miss her so much too. She was blessed to have such a wonderful family and cousins ❤️💔. Lots of love Moira

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