Obituary of Hildegard Bansbach

     Hildegard Bansbach passed away peacefully at home on October 6, 2024, at the age of 87. Born in Ilion, NY, she grew up in Irondequoit, began her education at The Durand Eastman School, before graduating from Ben Franklin High School in Rochester. Hilda was a graduate of Heidelberg College and completed graduate work at Penn State University.

     Hilda taught elementary school for 26 years, the first few years in Honeoye Falls and East Irondequoit, and the remainder in the Webster School District. Hilda taught elementary grades, and she especially enjoyed the science units, incorporating various personal rock, fossil and shell collections into her classes. Hilda was also an avid outdoors person and loved camping, canoeing and traveling. Their family trips consisted of traveling around the country with a camper during summer breaks. She was the primary trip planner for the family, and led multi-week trips that visited numerous National Parks throughout the country. They enjoyed wilderness and natural areas not only in the US, but also in Canada. Annual camping trips to the Adirondacks were enjoyed, with visits to many state campgrounds. Hilda also supported her children’s and grandchildren’s trips to the High Peaks. In retirement, Hilda and her husband traveled to Europe, and also to numerous Elder-hostels in both the US and Europe. Hilda had a love for music. She played violin and piano from a young age, and played in the Brighton Symphony and Penfield Symphony Orchestras. Hilda took up the French Horn later in life and played with the New Horizon’s band.

     Hilda was predeceased by her husband, Wilbur Bansbach (2003), parents, Bruno and Erna Wehling, brother-in-law, Jack Bansbach, and brother, Werner Wehling. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Bansbach and son, Eric Bansbach, grandchildren, Nancy, Susan and Elizabeth, sister-in-law, Janeth Bansbach, Carolyn Komar (Aunt of Hilda’s grandchildren), nephews, Jim (Jennifer) Bansbach and John (Tammi) Bansbach, and many other family and friends.

     A Celebration of Life will be held on November 8^th, at the White House Lodge in Webster Park, 1pm-7pm. Burial will be private. Donations in Hilda’s name can be made to your preferred charity or cause.