Hilda M Gaynor

Hilda Gaynor, our amazing mom, grandma and great-grandma, passed away November 30, 2023 at age 98. What a great, active life this woman lived. Born into a baseball family to parents Ethel and Emery Rauschenberg, she often lamented that athletics were not an option for girls back at Doylestown High in the early 1940s, so she chose the cheerleader/majorette route then pursued her own sports, bowling and golfing, after she graduated. She had the great fortune to do both, very well, for over 55 years – enjoying the sisterhood, the fierce competition, the trips and the cocktails that came with them.  She hit her last golf shot on her 90^th birthday at her beloved Brookside golf course. Her competitive fire also applied to being that grandma in the stands, not only cheering on her five grandsons, but serving as official (self-proclaimed) stat-keeper, coach and referee. She rarely, if ever, missed a local game and heaven help the schedule-makers when grandsons played on the same night at different places. Depending on the season, she could also be found with her trusted transistor radio (circa 1982) at her ear during games, never missing a minute of the Indians or Cavs. Hilda and Ted were married for nearly 76 years, living in Barberton for 67 of those years before his passing in 2022. Thankful for their longevity and love are their daughters, Marcia Diefendorff (Keith); Chris Jackson (Reg) and Jan Jackson (Troy Files) and much-loved-and-doted-on grandsons Zac Jackson (Mindy), Brody Jackson (Melanie), Dane Diefendorff (Helen), Kale Jackson and Dirk Jackson. Hilda also leaves great-granddaughter Ella Diefendorff, great-grandson Justin Jackson, bonus great-grandsons Bennett and Hudson, and very dear nieces, a special nephew, and caring cousins and friends. Besides her parents and Ted, Hilda has greatly missed her best friend and sister Betty Bush and husband Frank, brother Delbert Rauschenberg and wife Connie, son-in-law Dave Jackson, two nephews, Doug and Gib Rauschenberg and all the wonderful friends she outlived. A private celebration of her life will be held later. If you wish to honor her memory, help a child in need this Christmas. Hilda would like that. Lastly, in a broken and greedy health care system for the aged, mom had some angels looking out for her.  For those unsung heroes, we are very grateful.