As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
After a courageous 5-month battle with small-cell lung cancer, Bobbie Ann (Romano) Hiltunen, died Tuesday, February 10th, at her home in Southfield, MI with her family by her side.
Bobbie Ann was born on December 2, 1937, in Trimountain, Michigan, to Joseph and Antoniette (Stimac) Romano. She grew up in South Range, living with her parents, brother, sisters and grandmother above the Cozy Corner Bar, which was owned and operated by her parents. Bobbie Ann graduated from Jeffers High School, class of 1956. She spent summers at the family cottage in Twin Lakes. She made it a point to swim the length of Lake Roland every summer.
Bobbie Ann was united in marriage to Clyde (Halo) Hiltunen, June 14th, 1958. They moved to her current home in Southfield in 1965. In 1989, Bobbie Ann and Halo parted ways.
Affectionately known as “BA” by her nieces and nephews, it was never decided if “BA” stood for Best Aunt or Bad Attitude. Both held true, but the majority of the time, it was definitely Best Aunt. Her home was always always open to anyone who needed a place to stay. Holidays and weekends were especially busy at her house. “Cousins Night” was a favorite, with activities including a variety of card games and dominoes. Bobbie excelled at pinochle and euchre. She belonged to various euchre clubs. She was an avid bowler and bowled a number of 600 series. Her favorite pastime was fishing. During fishing season, she could be found fishing different beaver dams or out at the family fishing camp on the Salomon Trout River. Bobbie Ann was a demanding and extremely vocal armchair quarterback. She was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. She was partial to the 1968 Tiger. So much so that her youngest son’s middle name is Northrup, after her favorite Tiger, Jim Northrup. Animals were always a part of the Hiltunen household. Bobbie Ann made sure there was food for any strays that ventured into her backyard. Her favorite were the squirrels, they were all named “Charlie”. Bobbie Ann had a special cookie canister just for all the Charlies.
She worked at the United States Post Office in Southfield in the 1970’s. She later worked at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, from which she retired after 20 years in the billing dept.
Bobbie Ann is survived by her children: Terry (Eddie) Parolini of South Range, MI, Heidi Hiltunen of Richmond, Kentucky, Toni (Dana) Lester of Royal Oak, MI, Lee Hiltunen (Karen Gladden). Her grandchildren, Dylan Carney, Meredith Rupp, Anthony Britton, Cody, Samantha and Hannah
Parms, Josh Hiltunen, Tyler, Nate and Jake Hiltunen, Great-Grandchildren: Abby, Oliver Hiltunen, Amelia Scout Rupp and Layla Lester. She is also survived by a sister, Ann Marie Romano (Dave) of Venice, Florida. A sister-in-law, Delores Romano. Her nieces and nephews and their friends, whom she loved spending time with, her special kitties, Misty and Chole.
Barbara was preceded in death by her oldest son, Chris Hiltunen, her parents, a sister, Margie Parolini, brother Bill Romano, and nephew James (Jimmy Joe) Parolini.
Our mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend will be missed by many. We know she is in heaven with those family and friends who passed before her.
A Catholic Burial will take place at the South Range Cemetery, July 5th, at 12:30.
To view Barbara Ann’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
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