Suzanne Hildenbrand

Suzanne Hildenbrand, age 93, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025 in Oakland, California.

Suzanne was born December 17, 1931 in New York to the late John and Mary Hildenbrand. Her brother, Roger Hildenbrand, predeceased her. She is survived by her niece, Janice Hildenbrand, of Pooler, Georgia.

Suzanne graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York and the Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (B. A. History). She received her master’s degree in Library Service from Columbia University. She received her Ph.D. in the History of Education from the University of California at Berkeley.

While employed by the United States Information Agency early in her career, Suzanne worked in England, Africa, and France. She retired from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo in 1999 following a long career as a university professor.

Suzanne edited the text “Reclaiming the American Library Past: Writing the Women In(1996).” She authored numerous articles on the role of women and children in American libraries, including “Promoting Participation: Libraries and Women’s Role in American Society” and “Women in American Libraries : The Long Road from Contributions to Transformation.“ She served on the Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship of the American Library Association.

Suzanne was fluent in French and continued her study of the French language, culture, and literature throughout her life. She enjoyed travel and visited dozens of countries over the years.

Heartfelt thanks to the assisted living staff at Lake Park Senior Living in Oakland, California and Hospice for the East Bay in Pleasant Hill, California for their care and support of Suzanne.