Hildegard van Swol (Sabuel)

Hildegard van Swol

June 15, 1913 to June 19, 2017

Hildegard van Swol passed away Monday, June 19, 2017, four days after her 104 birthday, at Bethany Village Senior Living Community in Bethany, Pennsylvania.

Hildegard was born June 15, 1913 to Karl and Elisabeth Sabuel in Germany. She was an only child. Her father was a musician and cellist in the Bremen, Germany city orchestra.  The family immigrated to the States in 1926. 

Hildegard married Erwin van Swol in 1937. Erwin, a New York City “newspaper man”, was Editor at City News, City Editor at the legendary PM newspaper and Managing Editor of a magazine: The Journal of Living.  He retired from the United States Information Agency and Voice of America after 22 years of government service in Washington D.C.

Hildegard is survived by her son, Eric van Swol of Columbia, Maryland, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband who died April 19, 1998 and a son, Noel van Swol, who died October 15, 2012.

Throughout all the van Swol family adventures, Hildegard was the glue that held the clan together. Her unwavering support and love for her husband, sons and cats was remarkable.

 Her husband always talked about writing the great American cookbook. In reality, Hildegard was the gourmet chef in the family. 

Since 1941, Hildegard and Erwin owned a summer residence in Long Eddy, NY which became their permanent residence upon retirement. Hildegard made it a home. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Upper Delaware Ambulance Corps, Inc., PO Box 258, Hankins, NY 12741.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St., Honesdale, PA 18431.  Services are private.