Obituary: Gabrielle Erdenberg Hiltunen, Of Redding

Information and Photo Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

REDDING, CT — Gabrielle Erdenberg Hiltunen, 82, of Redding, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at New Milford Hospital after suffering a stroke at home.

She was born in Dresden, Germany, on June 2, 1939, daughter of the late Martha and Heinrich Erdenberger. She emigrated to the United States on July 11, 1956, living much of her earlier adult life in New York City. The first job she held in this country was as a governess in New York and later worked for Berkey Photo as well as the ad agency Doyle Dane Bernbach. Gabrielle loved ballet and stage acting, holding membership in the Episcopal Actor’s Guild. She appeared in many theater productions during her time in the city and always loved a good Broadway show. She was an avid reader, loved classical music, Jeopardy! and the New York Times crossword puzzle. She also had a passion for photography and an incredible talent for downhill skiing. She loved to travel and would fondly recall her ski trips taken with friends from the city to Vermont and the Swiss Alps. She took her kids skiing often during the winters, fostering in them a love for the outdoors, skiing and winter sports.

She married ex-husband Jon Stover Hiltunen in Stowe, Vermont on March 15, 1972 and moved from New York to Redding in 1972 where they raised their 2 children Sean and Terry, whom she adored with all her heart. She was a caring and dedicated special education paraprofessional, working at John Read Middle School for over 20 years prior to her retirement. Gabrielle was a longtime member of the First Church of Christ, Congregational in Redding and sung every Sunday with the choir whom she considered like family. She previously served as a deacon and worked with the church school for many years. The church meant the world to her, a loving community that carried her through the ups and downs of life. She volunteered her time at the annual church fair and tag sale, the Mark Twain Library book fairs and during elections in Redding as a poll worker. She touched the lives of so many and will be missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known her.

She is survived by her daughter, Terry E. Augustyn, son-in-law Eric, and two grandchildren Reide and Emily Augustyn of Litchfield, CT. She is also survived by 2 brothers Peter Erdenberger and his wife Gaby of Naples, FL and Heinz Erdenberger and his wife Hella of Edison, NJ, as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her beloved son Sean, sisters Annemarie, Ute and Eva; and her parents.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at The First Church of Christ, Congregational, 25 Cross Highway in Redding, CT. Family and friends are welcome to gather for refreshments and the sharing of memories immediately following in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to The First Church of Christ, Congregational, PO Box 1055, Redding Center, CT 06875.