Obituary of Hilde Costanzo

Hilde Elizabeth was born to Franz and Franzisca Toth on November 10, 1944. She was the youngest of seven siblings. Her family had recently moved to Stargard, Germany (present day Poland) from Yugoslavia. Feeling threatened by the Russian army which was closing in on their town, they moved to Linz, Austria to live with Hilde’s brother Jakob. Hilde was just a few months old. The war ended six months later, and the family moved to a farmhouse and later a school in Neumarkt-Kallham, Austria. Eight months later they moved to Hemersheim, Germany, where Hilde spent much of her childhood. Two of Hilde’s brothers, John and Henry, moved to Stuttgart, Germany to learn a trade in 1954. The church they attended sponsored the family to come to the United States, so John and Henry met them in Munich to fly to New York. They arrived on June 27, 1956 and lived with their brother Frank who had a job as a building superintendent in the Bronx. Henry was drafted into the U.S. Army, and made a career of it. John got a job as a cabinet maker. After two years, Hilde, John, and their parents moved to Ridgewood, Brooklyn. Hilde attended Grover Cleveland High School. Chuck Schumer was in her class. Hilde attended the Ridgewood Pentecostal Church and became part of a young peoples’ group. Years later she taught Sunday School at a Mission run by Bro. Carl Sommer. She would walk into the Projects and pick up children for Sunday School. When Hilde’s father passed away, Dominick came to his funeral. She and Dominick had not been in touch for a long time. They started to see each other and enjoyed each other’s company. She was a good listener. He proposed to her on Valentines’ Day and put her engagement ring in a yellow rose. They were married in the Ozone Park Church on May 3, 1975. After they were married, Hilde began attending the Floral Park Pentecostal Church, where she found a home. Over the years she formed many very close bonds with the members there and was always willing to serve in whatever way she was needed. She loved the children and working on the Vacation Bible School staff. Operation Christmas Child was very dear to her heart. She loved gathering toys, school supplies and hygiene items and placing them in shoeboxes to be delivered to children in need around the world to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way. Her children always expected her to shake them down for donations as Christmas approached. The close friendships that developed at this church, now named Calvary Full Gospel Fellowship, encouraged prayer from the heart whenever there was a need. They were a great strength to her, and she to them. Hilde and Dominick had three children, Frank, Robert, and Michael. She was an excellent mother, instilling in each of them a great desire to read. She acquired a lot of experience after babysitting Alfred Waldvogel’s six boys when she was only fifteen years old. They all loved her. She used most of her earnings buying snacks for them. When she babysat years later she used her earnings to buy things for her children. Hilde truly gave her all into being a mother. Her days started early in the morning in getting three children fed, dressed and ready for school. During the day, in addition to the many extra tasks created by what her three boys (and husband) left behind, she often babysat to have something extra to share with her children. She spent countless hours with her children reading, studying, and ensuring that her children had a good education and took advantage of it. There were many trips to the playground, walks to McDonalds, and shopping trips. She took great pride in all they accomplished. As she got older, Hilde had stomach problems, later carotid artery surgery, stents put in two arteries, and most recently, digestive problems. All these things wore her body down. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren. They loved to be with her. Sitting on her lap to watch a movie, creating things with Playdough, having epic swordfights, or having her read them a book were some of the joys her grandchildren looked forward to. Hilde was a loving, faithful wife and mother. With all her suffering, she continued to pray for those who also were suffering. She will be missed by all who knew her. Hilde is survived by her husband Dominick; children Frank and Mariela, Robert and Thalia, and Michael; grandchildren Samuel, Charlotte, Lucas, Emma, and Matias; brothers John, Henry and Jakob. ‘Rest in the Lord.’