Marie Linda Hildebrand
Obituary

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Marie Linda Hildebrand, who passed away on July 8, 2026 in Los Angeles, at the age of 39 surrounded by her family. 

Born on May 21, 1987, to R. Jeffrey and Jane Hildebrand, Marie was raised in Bakersfield, CA. She graduated from Garces Memorial High School, where she played volleyball and made several lifelong friends. She went on to earn her degree from the University of Southern California (Class of 2009) in graphic design, becoming a Trojan for life. 

Marie spent her career working in the apparel, textile, and product design industries. She worked on rug and pillow designs, as well as numerous surface design products, putting happiness and energy into everything that she worked on. She was extremely loyal to both her friends and the people she managed; she made it her utmost priority to support friends in need or colleagues who needed a transition after the pandemic hit. 

She always loved painting in an abstract style and thoroughly enjoyed finding unexpected patterns in nature as well as the world around her. In that same vein, she was always keen to take care of stray animals on her block, help family and neighbors with their pets, even adopting a few of them herself. She always felt that everyone, human and animal alike, was deserving of love.

Marie met her husband, Ethan Schaffer, in January of 2010. They met through mutual friends at a comedy club where they hit it off immediately and fell deeply in love. They got married September of 2017 in Pebble Beach at her grandparents’ home for her dream wedding. 

Marie is survived by her husband Ethan, mother Jane and brother Bob (wife Kathleen, children Samuel and Benjamin), aunts Bridget, Dixie, and Sally, many cousins, and her in-laws Eric and Michele.

Marie and Ethan loved to hike with their dogs Burt and Reggie, play cards, and paint in their free time. Marie was a die-hard USC Trojan. She would light up every room with kindness, compassion, and humor, unless you were wearing UCLA gear. She loved spending time with friends at USC games, swimming, barbecuing, and having water fights with her nephews. She will Fight On! in our hearts and will be missed dearly.