Hildagrade was born in Rockingham, NC, the youngest of three sisters (Colleen and Patricia both deceased). The family moved to Baltimore when she was young when her father got a job at Bethlehem Steel Ship Yard at Sparrows Point supporting WWII. Hildagrade is a graduate of Eastern High School the Class of 1953. She regularly attended reunions, including her 50th reunion in 2003. Her first job was at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore at the main branch. Hildagrade finished her career at the Baltimore County Public Library in Technical Services in Towson. She was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening. She is survived by her son Philip M Martin.