Mrs. Hilda M. Cecil gained her angel wings on September 14th in Raleigh, NC surrounded by her family. She was 87 years old. Hilda was a loving wife to the late Theodore “Ted” Richard Cecil, Sr., for 69 incredible years; a devoted and loving Mom to her five children: Ted Cecil, Jr. (Pat), Walter Cecil (deceased), Lynn Branham (Bobby), Allen Cecil (deceased), and Debbie Cecil; and a cherished Nanny to her eight grandchildren: William Key (Anne), Kelly Straughn (Brian), Julie Goguen (Matt), Jonathan Cecil (Amanda), Laura Cecil, Jennifer Cecil (James), Krista Cecil, Shaun Cecil, and her six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Horace M. Murphy (Lee) of Newburgh, NY. Hilda was born on Christmas Eve, 1933, to the late Michael H. and Hilda K. Murphy of Cornwall, NY. From the time she was born, she had a strong, giving, and nurturing spirit. Hilda lived every day of her life with a servant’s heart, always putting others first. Her love and dedication to her family, along with her passion to serve others, made a huge impact on the lives of everyone who knew her - family, friends, neighbors, and those she served in her community, from children to elders. Her nurturing spirit also showed in her love for nature. A master gardener with a green thumb, she would spend hours in the garden tending to her favorite knockout roses, hydrangeas, and butterfly bushes. She had an immense love for the beach. At her family beach home, she enjoyed cooking with family, taking long walks, collecting seashells, and picking up anything along the shoreline that would hurt the environment. Hilda had a deep commitment to live her life through the Christian values that were instilled in her. Love - love of God, family, friends, and neighbors. Integrity - at the highest level in all things. Respect - showing respect for others from all walks of life. And Service - serving others in every way, every day, from thanking others for their smallest gestures to contributing to her favorite charities and beyond. She will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held privately with the family on October 29th, 2021 in honor of her and Ted’s 71st wedding anniversary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to Cure Alzheimer's Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 310 Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Hilda May (Murphy) Cecil, please visit our Tree Store.