Noreen Hilbig

Our mom, passed away peacefully Friday, September 1, 2023 at the Village of Taunton Mills retirement home in Whitby, Ontario. She was in her 95th year and had been failing for several months due to dementia.

Noreen was born in Capreol, Ontario, on February 6, 1929, to James and Veronica Kirwan. In 1950, she graduated from nursing at St. Mary's Hospital, Timmins, Ontario, subsequently working at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto, Toronto East General Hospital, Belleville General Hospital and finally Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton, Ontario. 

On May 20, 1951, Noreen met the love of her life, Eric Hilbig, several blocks from St. Mikes at the Newman Club where they could and did dance the night away. They were married on June 30, 1952. Eric preceded her in death in 1996.

Noreen is survived by her 3 sons: Jim (Christine), Ken (Deborah), and Tom (Rhonda) and by her 3 daughters: Ann Marie, Marybeth and Laurie Ann and their families including 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia and her brother, Ken. All of these, mom loved dearly. Often the younger they were, the bigger mom’s smile was and the more energized she became while they visited her – especially of late. Predeceased by her brothers Keith and Don Kirwan, and by her sister Sheila Kirby.

Friends will be received on Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 7pm - 9pm at the T.A. Brown Funeral Home, 510 Mill Street, Port Elgin, 519-832-2222. A Funeral Mass for Noreen will be held at 11:00am on Monday, September 11, 2023 at St. Joseph's Catholic Parish, 920 Wellington Street, Port Elgin, with a reception to follow in Jubilee Hall. Noreen will subsequently be laid to rest beside the love of her life and longtime dancing partner, her husband, Eric.

Memorial donations to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Parish, Port Elgin would be appreciated by the family.

For those unable to attend the funeral mass, it will be live streamed and available on the funeral home's facebook page @BrownFamilyFH or in the service details below.