Mary G. Hiddleson

Mary G. Hiddleson, 97 of West Chester, PA passed away Friday August 1, 2025 at Simpson Meadows in Downingtown.

She was the wife of the late George E. Hiddleson.

Born April 28, 1928 in Regenstauf Bavaria, Germany she was the daughter of the late Joseph Gebhart and the late Anna Wendl Gebhart. Mary was the youngest of five children. Siegfried, Joseph, Hans and Rose.

Mary grew up in Germany and attended school through the 8th grade, which was standard in Germany at that time. Following school, she pursued business courses while also working as a bookkeeper in government positions. At 15, Mary met a Frenchman and had a son, Henry “Hank”. To discourage associating with men from enemy nations, the government jailed women for brief periods and incarcerated Mary for six months. When she was 25, Mary was sponsored by her sister Rose and moved to American with Hank. She initially lived in West Chester and found employment in a sewing factory. Then, she worked for a wealthy family in Malvern as a housekeeper where she and Hank had living quarters. Mary met her future husband, George Hiddleson on a weekend she wasn’t working. After only four visits, Mary and George got engaged and were married by a Justice of the Peace on February 27, 1954. The couple moved to West Chester where George, a carpenter and builder by trade, built their house. Mary found employment with Superfresh Supermarket where she worked for almost 35 years. Mary loved to entertain family and friends, cook and throw parties. She enjoyed her home which she beautifully decorated. Three years into her marriage, she and her son proudly became American citizens. 

Mary is survived by her son, Henry "Hank" J. (Pat) Hiddleson; grandchildren, William J. Temme (Karen), Donna T. Day (William) and Joseph E. Hiddleson; great grandchildren, James J. Temme (Maria), Nicole V. Day, Michael E. Day, Alec Temme (Cearra); and great great grandson, Jackson Temme. 

Services and Interment will be private. 

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com