Obituary for Anita Hillner (Matthynssens)
Anita Hillner
April 23, 1950 – February 14, 2023
Peacefully, after a long, brave and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family, Anita Hillner of Tillsonburg passed away on Tuesday February 14, 2023 at the Sakura Hospice in Woodstock at the age of 72 years. Beloved wife and best friend of David Hillner for 52 years. Loving mother of Marc (Jen) Hillner of Delmer, and proud loving grandmother of grandsons Jaxon and Ryder. Sister of Diana (Noel) Ghesquiere of Tillsonburg, and sister-in-law of Marlene Lewis of British Columbia, Richard (Marilyn) Hillner of Bancroft, Brenda Hartford of St. Thomas, Dennis Hillner of Vienna, Anthony Hillner of Alberta, Elisabeth (Russel) Cloes of St. Thomas, Charles Hillner of Alberta, Jason Hillner of Alberta, Anna (Jody) Hillner of Belle River, and Michael (Mary) Hillner of St. Thomas. Anita will be sorely missed by Aunts, Uncles and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Predeceased by her parents Albert Matthynssens (1990) and Blanche Matthynssens (nee VanDeVyver) (2005), a brother Marcel (Ginny) Verstraeten (2005), and brother-in-law Roy Hillner (2016).
After graduating from Delhi Secondary School and Wells Academy Business School, Anita worked as a dental receptionist at Orthodontic and General Dentistry offices in London while her husband was completing his dental training at U.W.O. That valuable work experience enabled Anita to be the efficient and professional office administrator of her husband’s dental practice in Tillsonburg for 34 years. Anita learned many different types of crafts and thoroughly enjoyed outdoor activities such as boating, snowmobiling and flying, but her favourite was scuba diving. She was an avid accomplished advanced open water diver who enjoyed many Caribbean dive vacations. When diving was no longer possible, she became an enthusiastic three season kayaker at her cottage lake. One of her fondest memories was becoming a first time grandmother and a licensed Private Pilot during the same July week. Anita was a selfless, kind and caring person with a cheerful, contagious laugh who above all loved socializing with family and friends.
Friends, relatives and neighbours are invited to attend a public visitation on Tuesday February 21, 2023, between 6:00pm and 9:00pm at the Ostrander’s Funeral Home Chapel, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg, ON (519) 842-5221. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday February 22, 2023 between 12:00pm and 1:00pm at the Peace Lutheran Church, 60 Young St. Tillsonburg with a Funeral Service to be held after the visitation at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the LHSC Cancer Clinic https://lhsf.ca/ways-give/memory or VON Sakura House Woodstock https://http://vonsakurahouse.com/ would be appreciated by the family.
April 23, 1950 – February 14, 2023
Peacefully, after a long, brave and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family, Anita Hillner of Tillsonburg passed away on Tuesday February 14, 2023 at the Sakura Hospice in Woodstock at the age of 72 years. Beloved wife and best friend of David Hillner for 52 years. Loving mother of Marc (Jen) Hillner of Delmer, and proud loving grandmother of grandsons Jaxon and Ryder. Sister of Diana (Noel) Ghesquiere of Tillsonburg, and sister-in-law of Marlene Lewis of British Columbia, Richard (Marilyn) Hillner of Bancroft, Brenda Hartford of St. Thomas, Dennis Hillner of Vienna, Anthony Hillner of Alberta, Elisabeth (Russel) Cloes of St. Thomas, Charles Hillner of Alberta, Jason Hillner of Alberta, Anna (Jody) Hillner of Belle River, and Michael (Mary) Hillner of St. Thomas. Anita will be sorely missed by Aunts, Uncles and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Predeceased by her parents Albert Matthynssens (1990) and Blanche Matthynssens (nee VanDeVyver) (2005), a brother Marcel (Ginny) Verstraeten (2005), and brother-in-law Roy Hillner (2016).
After graduating from Delhi Secondary School and Wells Academy Business School, Anita worked as a dental receptionist at Orthodontic and General Dentistry offices in London while her husband was completing his dental training at U.W.O. That valuable work experience enabled Anita to be the efficient and professional office administrator of her husband’s dental practice in Tillsonburg for 34 years. Anita learned many different types of crafts and thoroughly enjoyed outdoor activities such as boating, snowmobiling and flying, but her favourite was scuba diving. She was an avid accomplished advanced open water diver who enjoyed many Caribbean dive vacations. When diving was no longer possible, she became an enthusiastic three season kayaker at her cottage lake. One of her fondest memories was becoming a first time grandmother and a licensed Private Pilot during the same July week. Anita was a selfless, kind and caring person with a cheerful, contagious laugh who above all loved socializing with family and friends.
Friends, relatives and neighbours are invited to attend a public visitation on Tuesday February 21, 2023, between 6:00pm and 9:00pm at the Ostrander’s Funeral Home Chapel, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg, ON (519) 842-5221. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday February 22, 2023 between 12:00pm and 1:00pm at the Peace Lutheran Church, 60 Young St. Tillsonburg with a Funeral Service to be held after the visitation at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the LHSC Cancer Clinic https://lhsf.ca/ways-give/memory or VON Sakura House Woodstock https://http://vonsakurahouse.com/ would be appreciated by the family.