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Obituary: Edith (Molinaro) Hibbard

December 15,1927~September 29, 2022

Edith (Molinaro) Hibbard died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, September 29, 2022. She was 94 years old. She is survived by her treasured grandson Curt W. Hibbard, IV and his fiancée Darby Roach. Cousins and three generations of nieces nephews also survive Edith. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Curt W. Hibbard Jr, precious daughter Mary Ellen (Cookie) and cherished son Curt (Casey) W. Hibbard III. She also joins her parents Enrico and Rosaria (Ricchio) Molinaro and brothers Eugene Molinaro (Carolyn), Robert Molinaro (Mary Ellen), Anthony Molinaro (Kathy) and Albert Molinaro (Marilyn) in eternal rest.

Edith was born on December 15, 1927 in Racine, Wisconsin. She graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine in 1945 and went on to attend UW-Madison where she graduated with a degree in journalism. Edith’s first journalism job was for the Ripon Commonwealth newspaper in Ripon, Wisconsin. She later worked for the Milwaukee Journal where she met the love of her life, Bill Hibbard. They were married in1961.

Edith was passionate about many causes and dedicated much of her life to them. She supported organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Lake Park Friends, and Door County Land Trust. She and Bill were founding members of the Milwaukee based group Preserve Our Parks. They also created a scholarship at MIAD in honor of their daughter Cookie. Edith’s legacy will continue in Door County and Milwaukee with all the contributions she made to better the communities she loved dearly.

When Edith was not reading, golfing, skiing, or practicing yoga, she was traveling with Bill. Together they explored the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Japan. Edith’s love of nature and the performing and visual arts were second only to her love of family and friends. 

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, October 30 from 12pm-3pm, at the South Shore Pavilion, 2900 S. Shore Drive, Milwaukee, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent in memory of Edith Hibbard to Planned Parenthood or Door County Land Trust. There will be a private burial in Egg Harbor, WI where the family has owned a summer home for over 50 years.