Mary Elizabeth Hill

MARY ELIZABETH HILL passed away Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks, Salisbury, NC after an extended illness. Born on January 2, 1918 in Nebo, IL, she was the youngest daughter of a family of nine children. She moved with her family to Yorba Linda, CA when she was a toddler, attending school there until she met her husband-to-be, Lloyd Fay Hill. They were married in 1935, and had just celebrated their 50th anniversary when Lloyd died in 1986. Elizabeth is survived by their two children, Dennis Hill, a neurologist in Salisbury, NC, and Diane Hill Noble, a multi-published novelist of Palm Desert, CA; four granddaughters: Stephanie Hill Feriante of Granite Quarry, NC; Kristin Hill of Cornelius, NC; Melinda Head of Salinas, CA; and Amy Head Martinez of Monrovia, CA. She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren: Cameron Feriante, Sydney Feriante, and Mia Elizabeth Martinez. After their marriage in 1935, Elizabeth and Lloyd made their home in Long Beach, CA, then in 1951 moved to Big Creek - in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain backcountry - where they raised their two children. While living there, Elizabeth taught Sunday school at Big Creek Community Church, a small country church that Lloyd helped build. She also taught elementary school ceramics and crafts to 1st through 8th graders. She was active in her local Toastmistress club, and enjoyed taking classes at Cal State Fresno University, where her love of art work shone, especially painting with oils and watercolors. In 1973 Lloyd and Elizabeth moved to Boulder City, NV, where until his retirement he was superintendent for Southern California Edison’s portion of Hoover Dam. During her twenty-five years in Boulder City, Elizabeth took up porcelain doll making and volunteered at the local senior center, driving meals to the homebound. She will be missed by her family and friends, especially adopted granddaughter, Christina Faughnan and great-grandson Jacob Faughnan and her good friends at Trinity Oaks, where she lived for the past twelve years. There will be a graveside service Sunday at 4:00 PM at Chestnut Hill Cemetery. We, her family, want to thank all of you who provided so much love and support for our “Mom” and “Grandma” during these past challenging months. We rejoice that she’s in a better place – as we know that all heaven is rejoicing in her “homecoming.” In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lutheran Services for the Aging, PO Box 947 Salisbury, NC 28145. Summersett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. On line condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com____________________________________________Time is Standing Still ~ A Poem for Grandma - Mary Elizabeth Hill Thank you for the glimpses Of memories so dear Thank you for the hint Of times of passing cheer Bless us for having known Such closeness in each breath For in each moment you inhale Is another moment we getTime with you dear Grandma Time to hold you close To give you hugs and kisses And experience the most Don’t listen to that ticking Signaling time is passing by Focus instead on the stillness Before we say goodbyeIt’s just a clock upon the wall. And time means nothing here For in this moment breathe and watch Acknowledge we’re all here Smiling, laughing, teary eyed Alert, alive, and well. Another breath, another sigh Another moment… realWe’re here together with her As we close our eyes and pray Dear God she is so beautiful A child of your so blessed A Grandma dear and loved A mother cherished bestShe’s waiting for her moment To leave her earthly cares She’s waiting for her message So in stillness she prepares There’s comfort in the stillness There’s joy inside the heart There’s life inside the breath No time No future No past Just ‘now’And in this present moment Only one thing can ring true There’s nowhere else we want to be And nothing we must doJust enjoy the moment spent Each second Grandma’s near Hug her tight Pull her close Tell her I love you, dear She hears you She hears me She whispers I love you, just ‘be’Be in this present moment And look me in the eye It’s not about living or dying It’s about the in-betweenI know my breath is weak My body weary and tired But take another look inside The breath The beat The moment My soul is very much aliveA better place in store for me So worry not – don’t fear For in the now I’m with you And time is standing still--Kristin Hill, August 15, 2009--

Mary Elizabeth Hill

January 2, 1918 - August 15, 2009