Dr. Hilary Ann Petit

Beloved daughter, sister, cousin and friend Dr. Hilary Ann Petit, DVM, 51, died on May 24, 2013 at home.

A memorial service is at 7 p.m., May 31 at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Wasilla. An additional memorial service will be held in Newark, DE June 29.

Hilary was born in Fullerton, Calif., on Jan. 20, 1962. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and her Masters and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University. She worked at the Wasilla Vet Clinic for 17 years, where she was noted for her compassionate and skilled care of her patients and her ability to relate to their owners, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Many of Hilary’s wide circle of friends met her through her online presence and her writing. Her wit and her skill with words were enjoyed by many who had never met her. Of her writing, one of her friends said, “I laughed, I cried, I laughed until I cried;” a comment that shows how keenly Hilary felt the pulse of life and how adeptly she could convey that heartbeat to others.

Hilary had a gift for eliciting laughter. Not only was she a gifted storyteller, but she liberated the humor in other people and made them funnier too. To be around her made you feel more alive. Her unique perspective on people, places and animals enlarged your life and when you left her presence, your world was a little bigger. It is a smaller, less bright world now.

She is survived by her mother, Barbara Hebner of Newark, Del., and her father, Benjamin Cummings of Stewartstown, Pa.; step-parents, Pat Denny, Michael G. Petit Sr. and Robert Wood. She also leaves to cherish her memory sisters, Laura Peebles, (Ellen Fingermann), Megan Martin (Jeff Smith), Heather Petit (Will Hurd) and adopted sister Margaret Badger (Steve Grosso); brother, Laird Cummings (Jennifer); half-brothers, Michael Petit, JR (Kristi) and Alex Cummings (Amanda); half-sisters, Anita Cummings and Tania Campbell (Dan); step-brother, Paco Cummings (Kerry); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends and clients.

Gifts in her memory may be sent to wildhorsefreedomfederderation.org or to an animal cause of your choice.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory.