Florabelle Marsh Blank Hildebrand July 5, 1917- October 6,2012 Resident of Walnut Creek Born in Steele, North Dakota, Florabelle moved to Oakland when she was 6 years old. She attended Lakeview, Westlake, and Oakland High School and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, as a history major in the Class of 1939. She was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and served on its corporation board for many years. She earned a teaching credential at San Francisco State University. Florabelle was active at the First Congregational Church in Oakland during her youth, and she married fellow Church member Eugene M. Blank in 1940. They settled in Albany, a community that became an important part of their family life. She substitute taught in the Oakland Public Schools until their children, Karen and Bob, were born. In succeeding years, Florabelle volunteered in the Marin School and Albany High School PTAs and in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Once her children entered college, she taught full-time at the Albany Middle School. Throughout her years there, she had a reputation for demanding the best from her students. She was named to Delta Kappa Gamma, professional sorority for teachers, and she was awarded a lifetime membership in the Albany PTA for her service as a volunteer and teacher. Gene died in 1976, and in 1984 Florabelle married another Oakland First Congregational Church member, George Hildebrand, who predeceased her in 2007. They moved to Rossmoor upon marrying and were active members of the Rossmoor Pilgrim Congregational Church, both of them serving as deacons and elders. Their train trips in many parts of the world were a highlight of her life. Throughout her early years in Rossmoor, Florabelle was a Senior Tutor at the Martinez Juvenile Center, work that she found very satisfying. Florabelle's life was blessed by her children, Karen and Bob Blank; her son-in-law, Jim Milligan, and his family and by her grandson, Ned Milligan and his spouse, Jamie Auriemma; by the support that she received from George's sons Steve and George; by her long-time and loving caregivers, Waldina Archaga and Sofia Calligoa and, more recently, also by Katalina Mull; by the leadership and membership of the Rossmoor Pilgrim Congregational Church; and by the generous neighborliness of Marcia Harper and other residents of Mutual 29 on Ptarmigan Drive. She understood that she was helped by many to live life well. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 8, at 10:30 a.m. in the Diablo Room of the Hillside Clubhouse in Rossmoor. Contributions may be made to the Rossmoor Pilgrim Congregational Church or to a favorite charity.