Elizabeth “Bette” Hillerstrom
Elizabeth Anne Hillerstrom of Cary, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving husband, children and grandchildren as well as her beloved dog, Figgy.
Elizabeth, or Bette (pronounced “Betty”) was born on May 4, 1934 in White Plains, New York and was 91 years old. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Tord Hillerstrom; two daughters, Sandra Aleksu Hillerstrom and Amy Hillerstrom Ort; a son-in-law, Ryan Ort; and two grandchildren, Dylan and Lauren Ort. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie (MacNamee) Helle and George Helle and her older brother, George Helle, Jr.
Growing up in New York, Bette spent her summers swimming alongside members of her father's Norwegian community on Long Island. When she was a teenager, her family relocated to Texas, where her father worked as a farmer and an engineer, and her mother worked as a homemaker and a legal secretary.
Living through the Great Depression and World War II as a child, Bette became a passionate advocate for social justice and was politically active throughout her life. She served as a member of the Marin County Grand Jury, advocating for ethical government and civic engagement. A gifted writer with a love of language, poetry, and theater, she studied at UCLA, Hunter College, and Columbia University. She performed in summer stock theater in Canada and held interesting jobs, including as a copy editor at ArtNews Magazine, an elementary school teacher, and a travel agent.
After they married in Texas, Bette and Tord moved to Sweden for two years. Bette learned to speak fluent Swedish and enjoyed living in another country. She held deep affection for Sweden and its respect for equality. From there, they moved to California, where they lived for almost thirty years. Bette enjoyed adventuring with her family, often in a Volkswagen camper with a pop-up roof. Tord and Bette opened their own travel agency, Tobe Travel (a fusion of their first names), where they worked side by side for many years in northern California. After retiring, they lived in Cambria, California and in New Mexico before moving to North Carolina to be near their grandchildren.
Bette had a wry sense of humor, a hearty mischievous laugh, and a healthy skeptical nature. She liked to write, sew, read the newspaper cover to cover, and discuss politics. She loved cats, dogs, and birds. Her face lit up when she shared stories of warblers and other cherished sightings. She was a firm believer in the healing power of healthy food. She treasured her fig and white peach trees.
Bette loved classical and jazz music. As New Yorkers in the mid-‘60s, she and Tord heard Dizzy Gillespie play live at the Blue Note on the West Side. During her final days, Bette was serenaded by live piano music at home, which brought her pleasure and peace.
Bette adored her family and was a devoted wife and mother. An innocent sweetness was especially alive in her during her final years. Her smiling eyes, loving heart and strong desire to connect will be deeply missed.
A private family celebration will be held at her home on what would have been Bette and Tord’s 58th wedding anniversary.
Her family kindly asks that donations be made to Transitions Life Care Hospice in her name in lieu of flowers.:
Transitions Life Care
ATTN: Philanthropy Dept.
250 Hospice Circle
Raleigh, NC 27607