Nancy Lou Esper Hillebrand

Nancy Lou Esper Hillebrand, 96, passed away peacefully on January 13,2026, at her residence in Gainesville, Florida. Nancy was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 7, 1929. She and her older sister, Mary, enjoyed playing piano duets together on the two pianos in the Esper home. Nancy played piano most of her life, being well-known for her favorite “Clair de Lune.” Nancy and her future husband, Paul Hillebrand, met in high school and had their first official date on Valentine’s Day when she was 15. They were engaged on her 21st birthday and were married in 1951. Loving sunshine and warm weather, their growing family moved to Florida in 1959. Nancy was a great proponent of education for her children, encouraging each of them from grade school through their college years. She, herself, had balanced a husband in dental school, a growing family, and eventually working alongside her husband in his dental practice. She wanted each of her children to choose a career that would allow them to be self-sufficient and to finish their education before they might marry. Looking back, Nancy and Paul had at least one child in school for over thirty years! Upon retirement, Nancy and Paul moved to the Florida Keys, where Nancy cultivated her love of fishing and boating. Although fishing was not her hobby of choice, she believed that “If you want to spend time with your husband, you need to learn to love what he loves.” And her patient husband reciprocated, spending many an hour on a bench, with a book, while Nancy shopped. Paul passed away in 2017, after 66 years of marriage. Shortly thereafter, Nancy moved to Gainesville, Florida, where she resided until her death. Nancy’s family meant everything to her, and she and Paul had five children: Louann Hillebrand, Linda Sweeney (John) , Lori Worrell (Paul), Lisa Mokwa, and Paul Hillebrand Jr (deceased). Her seven grandchildren include Ella Rukin, Leo Rukin, Ann Sweeney Rome (Robbie), Patty Sweeney Rivero (Damian), Mary Sweeney Istre, Sarah Worrell Bilbra (Christopher), Daniel Worrell (Erin). Her eleven great-grandchildren include Giana Rome, Cooper Rome, Walker Rome, Aubrey Shipp, Katherine Rivero, Charlotte Rivero, Pearl Istre, Hailey Bilbra, Ashton Bilbra, Ella Worrell, and Benjamin Worrell. Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Paul John Hillebrand, her father, Frederick Charles Esper, her mother, Luella Rhode Esper, her sister, Mary Ellen Esper Wright, and her son, Paul John Hillebrand, Jr.

Nancy Lou Esper Hillebrand

August 7, 1929 - January 13, 2026