Joan Helen Hildebrand (née Amberg) passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on the 2 ^nd of January, 2019 in Carlsbad CA.

Joan was born on the 10 ^th of November, 1921 in New York City.  There followed some painful years after losing her parents at age 14.  She went on to graduate from Barnard College with a Bachelors of Arts degree in French and became a cryptographer for a year before attending the Naval Oriental Language School in Boulder, Colorado, where she then emerged as an ensign in the Waves.  Joan spent WWII as a Japanese translator, going to Japan following the war.  In 1948, she moved back to Columbia to obtain her Master's Degree in both German and Russian.  She then spent three years in Germany and another two years in Japan; where she met and married a Swiss business man, Joseph "Sepp" Hildebrand on the 7 ^th of October, 1955.  They lived together in Korea, Switzerland, Ethiopia, Germany and Thailand before settling in Dublin, Ireland for 17 years with their 2 daughters who they adopted in 1963.  Their children changed their lives forever and they never looked back.  The family moved to Scripps Ranch in San Diego in 1984 where she really enjoyed the "normality" of life after living in so many so-called exotic places.  She found a circle of close friends with whom she enjoyed sharing many days, especially playing bridge.

She had a happy married life as a caring wife and mother, watching the children grow into lovely young women.  Joan was a forthright, intelligent and intensely loyal person with a good sense of humor.  She valued family and friends above all else.  The quality of life was far more important to her than its duration.

"From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be:
That no man lives forever;
That dead men rise up never;
That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea."

(Excerpt from "The Garden of Prosperine", by Charles Algernon Swinburne)

Cremation arrangements by Poway-Bernardo Mortuary.  In lieu of flowers or monetary contributions, family and friends are asked to donate an occasional moment towards remembering the good time shared.  This was our Mother's wish.

Her family would especially like to thank the staff of Hospice of the North Coast, Carlsbad, who were involved in her care and comfort.  No words can truly express our appreciation and deepest gratitude.  You are all remarkable individuals who are dedicated, selfless, caring and compassionate.  You helped us through our darkest days.