Hortense Escel Cilley was born on 29 January 1922 at Dundee, Monroe, Michigan. She was the daughter of Harold Edward Cilley, Sr. and Irene Elinor Getty. She worked in Detroit until she joined the US Navy Waves. After her military service she lived in Milan (a city that straddles the border between Monroe and Washtenaw counties), Michigan and worked at the Ypsilanti Insane Asylum until she retired. She died on 26 May 1987 with her last residence listed as Redford, Wayne, Michigan, age 65 years, 3 months, 27 days. She was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Dundee, Monroe, Michigan.