Hillemann, Beth Cathleen 62, of St. Paul, longtime reference and instruction librarian at Macalester College, departed life peacefully and on a cloud of love, January 18. Vegan and an avid though non-competitive runner, Beth was in excellent health until the devastating discovery last spring of an aggressive brain tumor (glioblastoma). In the months that remained to her she faced her cancer, surgery, and subsequent treatments with remarkable grace and courage, determined to continue for as long as possible doing the things she loved - at work, with family and friends, and at home with dog and cat. Beth was born Dec. 12, 1961, in Madison, Wis., to Henry A. and Donna (Whiting) Hillemann. She earned a bachelor's and two master's degrees all from the University of Wisconsin. Following professional jobs at the Crete (Illinois) Public Library and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Beth started her work at Macalester in 1993. She especially loved her interactions with students, assisting them with their social science research projects. Beth was passionate about her favorite films and TV shows, and was influential in a number of media fandoms. She formed close friendships with fellow fans across three continents, and, as "PFL" or "msmoat," was a prolific, highly respected, and award-winning writer of fan fiction. She was grateful to the many friends whose presence, company, and offers of assistance during her illness were of great comfort to her. In her last weeks her great friend Amanda Dalcassian, taking a leave from work, came from England to provide wonderful live-in company and care. Time (and game playing) with Beth's family was always a source of great pleasure to her, and she added tremendous value to the lives of her nieces and nephew. Family survivors are her brother, Eric Hillemann, and sister-in-law, Claire Hill, of St. Paul; niece Phoebe Hillemann and her husband Conal Huetter, of College Park, Md.; niece Hallie Hillemann, of Farmington; nephew Henry Hillemann, of Northfield; and former sister-in-law Penny Hillemann and her husband David Keyes, of Northfield. No funeral is planned. Donations in Beth's honor can be made to the Beth Hillemann Endowed Scholar-ship Fund at Macalester College

Published on January 19, 2024