Judith "Judy" Kathryn Hildner
July 29, 1948 ~ December 22, 2020
Born in:
Niles , Michigan
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Judith “Judy” Kathryn Hildner, age 72, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020, surrounded by family at her son’s home in Aurora.
She was born to Jean Kelleher Porter and Edward Lloyd Porter on July 29, 1948, in Niles, MI. At the age of six, she moved with the family to Pueblo, the community where she would spend the rest of her life. Judy graduated from Pueblo Catholic High School in 1966 and then Southern Colorado State College in 1970.
She worked part-time at The Pueblo Chieftain after high school and would spend the rest of her career there before retiring as sports editor in 2012. Although organized athletics were not available to her as a girl growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, Judy loved telling the stories of the teams, players and coaches in Pueblo and the rest of Southern Colorado.
For her work as a sports reporter and editor, she was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame in 2016.
The Chieftain also was where she met her husband Jack Hildner. The couple married on May 7, 1968, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pueblo. They shared a love of reading, travel and sports, especially rooting for the Broncos and the Rockies.
She served in various capacities for the Pueblo Newspaper Guild, the Southern Colorado Press Club, the Runyon Field Sports Complex and the Rosemount Museum Auxiliary.
She was a friend of Bill and gained strength and friendship through that association.
Her husband, Jack Hildner; her parents, Jean and Edward Porter; and her infant brother, John Porter, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her sons, Thad (Megan) Hildner and their daughters, Grace and Emma; Matt (Erin Minks) Hildner and their daughter, Noelle. Judy also is survived by siblings, Margaret (Dan Knifong) Porter; Mary Jean (Bernie Abrahams) Porter; Sheela (Mark Smith) Porter Smith; James “Bob” (Julie) Porter; Brenda (Jennifer Woodard) Porter; Ruth (Jeff Hall) Porter. Numerous cousins, nephews and nieces survive her.
A memorial will be scheduled at a later date.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Judy in the late 1980s and early 1990s when I was promoting all things rodeo at the Colorado State Fair. She was funny, smart, professional and a true class act.
My heart was saddened to read of her passing in the CSU-Pueblo Alumni publication. What an amazing lady who was and remains a wonderful role-model to all who had the joy of knowing her.
May light perpetual shine upon her.
I had the pleasure of attending school with Thad & Matt. I was able to witness what a real Proud “sports Mom” looked like through Judy Hildner!
She was an Amazing writer of sports, but when she watched her son’s play sports… no words were needed.
The Huge smile across her face & the twinkle in her beautiful eyes, Said it all!
Judy Hildner set a positive example for all female students, not just in Pueblo but throughout all of Colorado. She was a great female sports writer & it showed us that hard work & determination could result in any female doing the job she so desired!
Sending Hugs to Thad & Matt & all my condolences to the family!
Rest peacefully.
Laviena Vargas
*L.V*
I had the pleasure of going to school with Thad & Matt! I was able to wittiness first hand of what a Proud “sports Mom” looked like through Judy Hildner! She loved to cover & write about sports, but when she watched her son’s play sports… No words needed to be said or written- the huge smile across her face & the proud twinkle in her beautiful eyes said it All! She was a Proud Mother!
Judy Hildner was an example for all of us young female students. She showed us that with hard work & a desire to be the Best, You can have Any profession that your heart calls you to!
Rest peacefully!
Sending hugs & condolences to You Thad & Matt and to all the Family!
Laviena Vargas
*L.V*
I was so saddened to hear of the loss of this wonderful person that I had many of great memories and conversations with over my career. She was always fair and honest in the work that she was meant to do, and she did a lot of good things for the Pueblo Sports community in her lifetime. To Thad and Matt, my heartfelt condolences for your loss, it was an honor to have been able to work with your mother.
Deepest condolences to Judy’s family and friends. A true professional and a master of her craft. The impact of her writing reverberated in SoCo and was respected throughout the state. Her coverage of the 1987 Centennial Bulldogs State Championship Football Team was unprecedented and was especially meaningful to Head Coach Tom Brockman and former Head Coach Jim ‘Pops’ Grieve. On behalf of Centennial Bulldogs everywhere…..Thank you Judy, RIP and GBY!
Judy was a very caring person. She found the perfect profession to pursue. Her reporting & stories reflected the caring person she was. Over the years I acquired a friend from the sports arena & enjoyed are interactions for so many years.
RIP, special lady.
Coach Brockman
I worked with Judy for many years and considered her a friend. She will be missed by so many. Condolences to her family and friends. RIP Judy
Condolences to the family of Judy Hildner. She will be well remembered in the Pueblo community. Much love .
I came to know Judy only after moving to Pueblo in 2016 and appreciated every interaction that we had. She was a woman of profound courage. May she rest in peace.
RIP Judy as I know you are now with Jack, Sosh and your other departed Chieftain staffers in the big newsroom in the sky. We studied and worked together at SCSC and Chieftain along with teaming in our later years as a member of the selection committee for the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Those were memorable times for me.
I always admired and followed Judy’s stories in the Chieftain from a very young age, sharing her love of sports and the stories behind the participants that she beautifully shared. When the “Hildner boys” came to Central, it was Judy and Jack that became a fixture at sports and other events involving their sons and their friends. Judy and Jack were so kind and friendly and fun to talk with and be around. I remember how encouraging they were to not just their sons, but to all the student-athletes around at that time. Judy’s eyes always sparkled and her smile always beamed so bright. Pueblo was so very blessed by this family calling our community “home.” May their sons and their families, as well as others held so close, find pride, comfort and joy in knowing that what Judy and Jack have left behind has made the world a little bit better place to be.
Deepest condolences,
Lois Conatore-Houpe,
AKA “Ms. C” from Central
This is a lovely tribute to Judy that well represents her life. The picture is beautiful. I look forward to many more opportunities to reflect on Judy’s remarkable life with family and friends. Judy’s elder sister, Margaret.
So very sorry to read of her passing. Judy was an amazing individual. She was excellent at her profession and was always so very kind to all. She knew the sports arena so well and was well respected by all.
Judy, May you Rest in God’s Peace.