Hildegard Johnston of Essex Junction, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 72 on November 11, 2017 at the Vermont Respite House in Colchester, VT.

Hildegard was tenacious and independent throughout her life with a passion for her family. Her family coined her the champion of apple and strawberry rhubarb pie and macaroni and cheese. Hildegard was born in Hohentauern, Austria on December 19th, 1944 to Michael and Magaretha Sacherer of Austria. After she completed nurses' training in Germany in the early 60's, she married and moved to Vermont in 1965 where she raised her family. Her nursing career began at Green Mountain Nursing Home, followed by her 17 years of employment with IBM. At IBM, Hildegard was the safety representative for her department and received the General Manager's Teamwork Award in recognition and appreciation for her valued efforts and dedication to excellence. On September 2nd, 1993, she was the first recipient within the new Organ Transplant program under Dr. Reese at Fletcher Allen Health Care which resulted in her receiving the Miracle of the Year Award from Governor Howard Dean. She was the first recipient of an organ transplant for the state of Vermont.

Her parents and two sisters Waltraud Steindl of Austria and Christa Bertl of Germany predeceased Hildegard. She is survived by her older brother Hans and his wife Helga Sacherer of Germany, her children Caroline and Farid Badri, of Mountville, PA, John Johnston and Joanne Feeley, of Georgia, VT, and Michell Langlais, of Colchester, VT and her six grandchildren Connor, Youssef, Stephanie, Miriam, Julie and Jason.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Candace Fraser, Dr. Frank Gennari, Dr. Mark Capeless and their specific teams for providing excellent quality of life care; and, thank you to Robin Barber, her friend and home care provider, the McClure Miller VNA Respite House and the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden, and Grand Isle Counties for their care during her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Vermont Kidney Association, PO Box 244, Burlington, 05402.

Visiting hours will be held at LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Winooski on Wednesday, November 15th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, November 16th, 2017 at Saint Francis Xavier Church at 11:00 am. Condolences may be shared at www.lavignefuneralhome.com.