Hildegard (Manz) Cesca

Hildegard (Manz) Cesca passed peacefully on September 28, 2023, in Middletown, CT.  She was 98.  Hilde was born April 5, 1925, in Munich, Germany and grew up in the small town of Wasserburg am Inn.  At 21, while working for the Americans as a secretary after the WWII, she met Aldo Cesca, a handsome First Sargeant in the US Army.  At 24, she left her home and family and flew to America to marry him.  They were married for 51 years.

Aldo and Hilde had two children, Linda (Brogan) and Robert.  Through primarily a homemaker in her early years, she did take time to host The German Hour, a popular radio show which was featured on WTOR on Sunday evenings for over 8 years.  Eventually, Hilde returned to her career as a secretary, becoming employed by the United Way of Northwest Connecticut where she was an Administrative Assistant for 28 years.  She loved her work there and made many close friends along the way.  After retiring, Hilde took time each day to pursue her real passion… reading.  She was a voracious reader who especially loved historical fiction.  It was probably reading that kept her mind sharp through her last days.  She was also a bit of a historian in her own right, known for engaging stories of her younger life growing up in WWII Germany.

Hilde is survived by her daughter, Linda Brogan, granddaughter, Melissa Crowell and two great grandsons, Brogan and Ethan Crowell.  She was predeceased by her husband Aldo and son Robert.  She also leaves several nieces and nephews both in the US and Germany.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Middlesex Healthcare Center for their compassionate care that allowed Hilde to pass with grace and dignity, especially Paulette, Nicola and Andrea.  She regularly told her family that they made her stay there feel like home.

Family and friends are invited to Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT for visitation from at 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023.  The cortege will depart at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home to St. Peter Church, (St. John Paul the Great Parish) 99 East Main St., Torrington, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Special Olympics (www.soct.org), a favorite organization that Hilde supported.

Condolences may be sent to Hilde’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com