Helen B. Hill

Helen Bertha Hill passed away Saturday, September 17, 2011 in Spokane, WA., her home of 60 years. Helen was born the second of four daughters, to Clarence H. Hill and Sophie C. (Hillman) Hill in Sanders, Benewah County, Idaho, April 20, 1924. She attended Heyburn Elementary and. St. Maries High School graduating in 1941. Helen was named “Idaho’s Best Driver" as a winner of the annual "Ford Good Drivers League" state contest held in Boise, Idaho in 1941. She was very proud of the fact that she represented the state in the national competition at Dearborn, Michigan, in August, 1941. When World War II began Helen moved to Walla Walla, WA to work as a civilian operating a lathe for the Army Air Corp helping repair incoming military planes damaged in the wars overseas. Helen returned to St. Maries, Idaho, and in 1950, she and her mother and sister, Shirley, moved to Spokane, WA. She joined J. C. Penney as a sales clerk and worked her way up into the offices. She retired after 40 years. She so enjoyed the Penney’s retiree’s once-a-month luncheons until her health prevented her from attending. Helen was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for approximately 60 years. Helen’s family would like to express its appreciation to her lovely care givers, Sharon and Lynn from At Home Care for their patience and support of Helen. We would also like to thank her caregivers at Riverview Terrace, Riverview Care Center and North Central Care Center. Helen is survived by 2 sisters, Marjorie Morris of Spokane, WA. and Ida Stemple, of Corvallis, OR., nephew, Steve Negretti (Rita), nieces, Carol Fullmer (Ernie), and Nancy Nordstrom of Spokane, WA., Susan Perry of Lake Oswego, OR, and great nephews and nieces, Patrick (Kristen), Stephanie, Raelin, Laura, Joseph, Nicholas, Vic, Michael, Christina and great- great nieces, Hope, Mikayla and Lily. Helen was preceded in death by her father Clarence (1933), her mother Sophie(1981), brother-in-law, Ray Morris (1993), sister Shirley Negretti(2010) and brother-in-law, Dr. Michael Negretti(2010). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Lutheran Community Services, 210 W. Sprague Avenue, Spokane, WA. 99201, lcsnw.org/spokane. A memorial service will be held at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division Street, Spokane, WA 99207, on Wednesday, October 12, at 2 p.m. Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, St. Maries, Idaho will take place at a later date.