Typhoid Harry 23 Posted July 30, 2005 "The Incomparable" Hildegarde died peacefully Friday night 07/29/05 at the nursing home where she'd been residing for the past few years, at age 99. She was born Loretta Sell Hildegarde in Adell, Wisconsin and raised in New Holstein, Wisconsin. Her father, a merchant, played the drums and fiddle and her mother was an organist who directed the church choir. When she was twelve, the family moved to Milwaukee, where she and her two sisters participated in the school choir and orchestra. Her first desire was to be a concert pianist and she enrolled for awhile at the School of Music at Marquette University. However, circumstances prevented her from continuing, so she went on to find work in vaudeville. After several years of this, Gus Edwards "discovered" Hildegarde and sent her across the country in a travelling show. Later she went to Paris where she gave her first command performance for King Gustav of Sweden in the Casanova, a Parisian Boite. She continued to appear in many famous rooms in London, Cannes, Brussels and at private concerts. In the late 40's and through the 50's Hildegarde was considered by many to be the top dinner and supper club entertainer in America but it was in New York where she headquartered her performances. Hildegarde's favorite prop was her handkerchiefs, of which she had a large collection of (even her table cards featured tiny hankies embedded in them). She sported stunning gowns by Fontana of Rome. Roses, long gloves and upswept hair were also personal signatures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted July 31, 2005 er..fascinating..how did the deathlist miss that one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GrimRita Posted August 2, 2005 How annoying to die at 99! Poor woman! I'd be kicking myself, if I weren't already dead... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Windsor 2,235 Posted August 2, 2005 I read about a woman who died on her 100th Birthday. She was really looking forward to receiveing her telegram from the Queen but was dead before the Lord Lieutenant dropped it off. The family got to keep the card and said they would treasure it in her memory...I'm thinking e-Bay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
