Hilda DiDonato

Hilda Baker DiDonato born on March 28, 1930 passed away after a brief illness at Carrington Park in Ashtabula on August 20,2020. Hilda was the mother of 3 sons, Ray, Peter and Louie DiDonato and the beloved wife to Anthony Peter DiDonato for 44 years.  Hilda lived a long and rewarding life and was an active member of Mt. Carmel Church serving as president of numerous church related clubs while a parishioner of Mt. Carmel. She also was head cashier at Kroger's in Ashtabula and Conneaut and was well known for incredible competence and attention to detail. She also served as union representative for the employees of the Kroger stores.

One of the best known activities of Hilda concerned her charitable work with a number of Ashtabula ladies who for years would make items to be sold at flea markets and all the proceeds would be distributed to either church related organizations or organizations affiliated with aiding the least fortunate in the Ashtabula Community. The ladies in that group were featured in an article in the Star-Beacon a few years ago when after years of doing this, they just had to reluctantly give in to age and discontinue their work.

Unfortunately during Hilda's lifetime she lost all of her siblings who were younger than her. She was preceded in death by her mom, Mildred  and father Ozzie Baker and sisters, Fran Wright, Judy Davis, Ann Baker and Beatrice Nottingham. She also lost brothers Charles Baker, a veteran of WWII who died of wounds received during that conflict and her other brother, Peter Baker, a veteran of the Korean War who passed away 12 years ago. Hilda, lost her husband Anthony (DiDo) in 1992 and it was a tremendous loss to her and the family. Twelve years later, her youngest son Peter (Marnie) passed away at age 43 and then her second son Ray (Fran) died suddenly in 2018. Parents should never lose their children before them but the determined mother in her, allowed Hilda to continue on with a productive life. Lastly, she also suffered the loss of her husband's brother Peter Salvatore DiDonato.

Hilda had a number of friends in her life and we would like to acknowledge the aid and support from the Iarocci and Gabriel families of Ashtabula, especially Janis (Brown) and her mother Phyllis Iarocci and the late Mary Gabriel and son Tony,  long time friends and neighbors. We have a deep gratitude to Brenda Urch and Her husband Harold for their long time willingness and support for Hilda while she lived at Willowbrook in Saybrook.

Surviving Hilda, is her oldest son Louie (Ann), her granddaughters Renee' DiDonato (Eric) Lynch and Ashton DiDonato and Ray's spouse Fran DiDonato. Hilda loved her great grandchildren Victoria (Rory), Baker Lynch and Grayson Lynch, all of whom live in Columbus. She has many nieces and nephews that also live in the Ashtabula area.

Because of the pandemic, our family is deeply saddened that we cannot have a public viewing of Hilda, a mass at Mt. Carmel, her beloved church and wonderful celebration of life at the Crow's Nest as we have done with all of our family who has passed. My mom and the family have had so many great friends and family in the Ashtabula area and we know your best wishes is with our mother. In lieu of our normal celebration the family is only having a private visitation and service at Guerriero Funeral Home in Ashtabula. Donations in Hilda's name can be sent Bella Care Hospice , Carrington Park Nursing home, Meals on Wheels or St. John HS,  all of Ashtabula.Condolences can be made at guerrierofuneralhome.com

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