Patricia '"Pat"' Hilser

Obituary March 13, 1947 Patricia to her mother, Snookie to family and childhood friends, Patricia Ham to her granddaughter, and Pat to the legions of friends she made throughout her life was born to Gertrude Duncan Sullivan and James Sullivan in New Rochelle, New York. After graduating from Saint Gabriels High School, she went on to nursing school where she quickly discovered her love of vaccinating oranges and her loathing of spending time with sick people. After a brief career in retail, she married Peter Hilser, and although many questioned the wisdom of her decision, they enjoyed 48 years of fun, friendship, and true love together. She was a devoted mother to Suzanne and Sally, who know they are extraordinarily lucky to have had a mom who considered this to be both her most important job and her greatest privilege. She instilled in them an appreciation for the importance of family, a belief that friends are what make life worth it, and a self-confidence that has carried them far. Her granddaughter, Dalton Caroline Wiles, was one of the great loves of her life, and she showed that by not only devoting time and energy to her, but also by teaching her colorful language and showing her how to be full of sass at a very young age. Hell-o! Although she swore she never got over the burden of having to baby sit her when they were children, her sister Ellen was one of her best friends throughout her life. She was proud to be Ellens confidante and her champion, and she loved being a part of Ellens own wide circle of friends. She would be the first to tell you that one of the other great loves of her life, golf, didnt always love her back, but since it brought her many friends, breathtaking views from fantastic vacations, and treasured time with Pete, she was willing to forgive. She was predeceased by her beloved older brother, Neil Sullivan. In addition to those already mentioned, she is survived by her sister Maria Sugrue and her family. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Mitze Amoroso, and her sons-in-law, Brannon Wiles and Erik Rise, who loved her like crazy and who were also a little bit afraid of her, as she intended. She is survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, lots of nieces and nephews and more friends than it would be possible to count. As one of her closest friends described it, she was a collector of people! During the six months she was treated for leukemia, friends from throughout her life and from all over the world reached out to send their love, share stories of her kindness and support during their own good times and bad, and cheer her on. The legacy of her love and compassion will reverberate for a long time to come, and her family is incredibly grateful for everyone who helped show her that during this last year of her life. Her family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center, the Raab Cancer Clinic, Carteret General Hospital, and Hospice of Carteret County for their compassionate care and kindness. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at St. Egbert Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas R. Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that friends consider gifts to the Raab Cancer Clinic of Carteret General Hospital, P. O. Box 1619, Morehead City, NC 28557 or Hospice of Carteret County, P. O. Box 1619, Morehead City, NC 28557. Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. ,Tuesday, August 25, 2015 St. Egbert Catholic Church 1706 Evans Steet Morehead City, NC 28557 Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Patricia '"Pat"' Hilser