Hilda Louise McCreight

The indomitable Hilda McCreight passed away peacefully at the age of 105 on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

She was born Hilda Louise Horner on the 12th of February 1920, elder daughter of Meyers B. Horner and Lucille (Gump) Horner. The descendent of Swiss-German Church of the Brethren farmers and metal workers, she was born on her grandparents’ farm in Meyersdale, PA. Her family then moved to New York, NY, for study; to Coraopolis, PA, where Meyers was school principal and younger sister Evelyn joined the family in 1922; and finally, to Washington, PA, where Meyers became superintendent of city schools. As a young child recovering from scarlet fever, she learned to dance by watching the high school girls practice the Charleston below her bedroom window. Later, as a teenager during the Great Depression, she was deeply and empathetically affected by the hardships she witnessed around her.

Hilda was an enthusiastic lifelong learner and teacher. She attended Juniata, a small Brethren-affiliated college in Huntingdon, PA, where both her parents were alumnae, and then transferred to Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, PA, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. Throughout high school and college, she played cello and piano, was an outstanding student, and relished every leadership and learning opportunity.

In June of 1942, Hilda married James Carrell McCreight, a fellow Washingtonian who won her hand in marriage after a persistent, witty, and creative courtship. They spent the remaining years of World War II in Washington, DC, working at the Pentagon, where Jim served as an intelligence officer and Hilda was employed as a nutritionist.

At war’s end in 1945, Hilda and Jim returned to Washington, PA, with newborn son Edward Meyers (Ed). Jim completed his law degree at The University of Pittsburgh and joined his brother at the family law firm. Daughter Margaret Elizabeth (Peg) arrived in 1946. The family moved into the house on North Avenue where Jim himself had grown up. During four decades in that house, the family welcomed William Horner (Will) in 1950; James Mikesell (Mac) in 1953; and, in 1963, Brazilian high school exchange “sister,” Tina Tanajura.

Hilda and Jim were very active members of his family’s Second United Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School, sang with the entire family in the choir, organized women's circles and after-school tutoring, and served as the church’s first woman Elder. She also gave time and talents to the Washington Hospital, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and American Field Service for international students. Later in life, she joined Church Women United, with its ecumenical and international focus. After moving to Madison, WI, Hilda became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and received inspiration and support from her circle membership there.

Hilda believed that travel was educational. At age six, she traveled with her parents by car across the United States (dirt roads from St. Louis westward) to visit relatives who had homesteaded in New Mexico. Years later, she instigated the McCreight family camping tradition of month-long excursions to state, national, and provincial parks throughout the US and Canada. Perhaps that wanderlust is why Hilda's descendants are today distributed across nine states (CA, OR, WA, ID, WI, MA, NC, GA, OH) and two foreign countries (CAN and SWITZ).

After Jim's death in 1999, Hilda moved to the Middleton Glen retirement community to be near her daughter, Peg, and spent winters in her condo in Venice, FL. Most recently, Hilda lived at Vista West retirement community, Tabor Oaks Assisted Living at Oakwood Village University Woods, and Agrace Hospice in Madison.

Until the time of her death, Hilda remained vibrant, observant, and endlessly curious. Her knowledge of family history, both hers and Jim’s, was encyclopedic. She was an inveterate Crypto Quote enthusiast and a savvy bridge player. She also loved spending time with Peg and Ron at their Richland County farm, sitting on the back porch watching the birds, knitting shawls and washcloths, and enthusing about the natural world.

Hilda’s ability to form lifelong friendships, and her faith in God, rooted in her Brethren values of simplicity, peace, and gratitude, were foundational. After moving to Madison, she focused her charitable giving on her church and on organizations that she felt were doing good in the world, including the Heifer Project; Brady: United Against Gun Violence; PBS; and, in a compassionate and life-affirming response to the senseless murder of her mother, Lucille, the Prison Ministry Project (now the Wisconsin Prison Partnership).

Hilda is survived by her children--Ed (Ursula) McCreight, Peg (Ron) Wallace, Will (Carla) McCreight, and Mac (Marie Manna) McCreight--and her seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband, Jim, and sister, Evelyn.

A celebration of her life and faith will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4100 Nakoma Road in Madison on Saturday, November 22nd at 2:00 pm with the visitation prior from 1:00 pm.

Memorial donations in Hilda’s name may be made to the Wisconsin Prison Partnership at First Congregational Church, 1609 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53726 ( https://secure.myvanco.com/YN8V/campaign/C-Z031); or to the charity of your choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

608-238-3434