Shirley A. Hill, 88, lifelong resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 19 at her home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and good friend to many. Shirley Mason was born November 25, 1927. Her parents died at an early age, so Shirley was raised by her loving aunt Grace. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1945 where she met the love of her life, Fred Hill. They married in 1946 and enjoyed every day of their 63 year marriage, until Fred‘s passing in 2009. They were blessed with five children. Shirley enjoyed staying home to raise her children. She later embarked on a 27-year career at Bryan Medical Center East in the Housekeeping Department, where she was a highly respected supervisor. Shirley loved people and had a genuine interest in everyone’s history and was always eager to learn their “story”. This formed the basis of numerous friendships she acquired, many of which lasted her lifetime. She never met a person she didn’t consider a friend. Shirley and Fred lived life to the fullest. They were charter members of Eastridge Presbyterian Church, avid sports fans, loved Kansas City baseball, Cornhusker football, golfing, riding bikes and their fishing and camping trips. They spent many vacation weeks in their Bahamas paradise, Scotland Cay, with their lifelong friends, Pat and Arnie. They loved traveling and were always up for any adventure, especially when it involved connecting with family or friends. Shirley loved life and lived it with enthusiasm and gratitude. She found her greatest joy in her family and loved nothing more than having her house filled with loved ones, activity, and laughter. Her ever- present optimism was an inspiration for living life to everyone who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Fred and her son Ted. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Mary (Dollie) and Larry Benac of Lincoln, Norm and Terri Hill of DoverFoxcroft, ME, Tom and Susan Hill of Freedom, PA, and Dennis and Michele Hill of Kearney, NE, 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, friend and sister-in-law Mary Jean Sohl, brother-in-law Jerry Hill, and special friends Pat and Arnie, Betsy, and Glenna.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Wyuka Funeral Home.
Because Shirley was so compassionate of people in need, her family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to Lincoln Food Bank, 4840 Doris Bair Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504 or online at lincolnfoodbank.org.
“Another Lincoln High Job Well Done.”
My Dearest Shirley,
I am so saddened that you have passed away, but I know you are with your beloved Fred. I have no doubt that he greeted you. You were the best boss I have ever had when I worked at Bryan East Hospital. You made working the weekends so much fun and you treated me as if I was part of your family. Brian, DeeAnn and I all loved you and had such respect for you. You always gave wise advice and I so appreciated it. I know you’ll always be my angel. You’ll forever be in my heart. Love and miss you so much.
I was saddened to read that Shirley passed away. My parents (Mary Jane and Cecil Simpson) were neighbors with Fred and Shirley for years. Shirley was always so cheerful and such a good neighbor. We appreciated the fact that she always kept an eye on my mom as she aged. She was a special lady in every way. I am sorry for your loss but thankful you have such fun and loving memories.
Wow, what a Mom you had! She was so special to me too. I met Shirley when I came to work at Bryan Hospital in 1984. She was running the night shift without a mgr., with construction, not enough workers and high census. She got the job done in those crazy times because she was creative, hardworking, fun, respected and loved by all. Her favorite quote that I remember was “100 yrs. from today what difference will it make?” Her optimism was one of her secrets to life. She passed so much of her love and wisdom to us all. With Fred by her side those two were totally devoted to Bryan and it’s mission! I am so blessed to have known Shirley……..