BRENDA IRONMONGER HILLIARD

Passed away peacefully after a long battle with dementia and complications on March 22, 2018.  She is survived by her beloved husband Ed, son Rick (Kimberly) Westrich, two stepsons Chris (Susan) and Alan (Denise), four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother Percy (Rita) Ironmonger, sister Maureen (Woody) Woodruff, and sister-in-law Sue Hills.  Her daughter Lori Westrich preceded her in death.

Born in Poquoson, VA in 1943 to the late Percy and the late Lenell Ironmonger, she graduated from Poquoson High School in 1962 and began a distinguished 31-years of government service, during which she served as Executive Assistant to senior civilian and uniformed leaders in Germany, Belgium, and the U.S.  Her final 16 years in government were spent in the White House, where she served four presidents as a Special Assistant for national security.  Following government retirement she worked as a preschool teacher for seven years and often said working with 3- and 4-year olds was the best job she ever had.

She loved her husband, family, children, animals, and every person she met.  She was a lifelong fan of classic country music and loved singing the words to a hundred country songs.  She was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins football team and the Washington Nationals baseball team.  She loved her memories of growing up in Poquoson and her Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., Leesburg, VA on Sat April 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. at Colonial Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Union Cemetery, 323 North King St., Leesburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in her name to a favorite pet rescue organization.