Geraldine Hileman, 76

Geraldine “Kay” Hileman, 76, passed away on July 9, 2026.

Born on June 18, 1950, in Whitefish, Kay was raised in the community she loved and called home. She graduated from Whitefish High School before attending beauty school in Spokane, Washington.

Kay was blessed with an extraordinary creative spirit. Whether she was painting, sketching, or throwing pottery, she found joy in creating beauty and sharing it with others. For a time, she sold her artwork at local craft and art fairs, delighting those who admired her talent. Later in life, she made a career change and spent more than 25 years working alongside her sister, a partnership she deeply valued.

Kay found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. She was an exceptional gardener whose yard reflected her love of nature, and she never let the birds in her backyard go without fresh food and water. She had a special place in her heart for animals and cared for them with quiet compassion.

Family was at the center of Kay’s life. She was a wonderful cook, and her children fondly remember coming home from school to find homemade treats waiting for them in the kitchen — a simple expression of the love she poured into her family every day. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially sitting down for a game of cribbage or gathering together for a lively game of Right, Left, Center. Those moments were filled with laughter, friendly competition and memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Those who knew Kay will remember her as kind, generous and accepting. She believed people should treat others the way they themselves wished to be treated, and she lived by that principle. She encouraged those around her to show kindness, compassion and respect, making a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Kay also enjoyed relaxing with a good Scotch, sharing stories, laughter and good company with the people she loved most.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Leona Hileman and by her beloved fur baby, Little Bit, whose passing just a year earlier left an empty place in her heart.

She is lovingly remembered by her sisters, Debbie Rauk and Vicki Hileman; her children, Tracie Norton (Darryle) and Randan Zinke (Danyeal Jamison); her grandchildren, Taryn Reid (Leo Boucher), Tevin Groshelle, Isaac Zinke, and Isabelle Zinke; her cherished great-grandchildren, Sophia, Miya, Kylie, and Leo and her cherished friends and sisters-at-heart, Toni Stachon and Linda Brousseau.

Though she will be deeply missed, Kay leaves behind a legacy of creativity, kindness, generosity and love. Her art, her gardens, her care for animals and the countless lives she touched will continue to remind us of the remarkable woman she was. We find comfort in imagining that she has been joyfully reunited with Little Bit, whose companionship brought her so much happiness.

A private celebration of Kay’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family encourages those wishing to honor her memory to perform an act of kindness, care for an animal in need, feed the birds, or simply take a moment to appreciate the beauty in the world — just as Kay always did.