Marilyn J. Hill

Marilyn Jean Thompson Hill died on October 27th 2025. She was born on June 26th 1929 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the daughter of Grace Evelyn (nee Jones) and Kenneth Leonard Thompson.

She attended schools in Neenah, Wisconsin and then Carroll College, Waukesha, WI graduating with her B.A degree. She married Richard Earl Hill on June 5, 1951. Marilyn and Dick became the proud parents of five children: Mark Richard Hill (wife, Patricia Eisenach) of Jacksonville, Florida; the late Kenneth Lyle Hill (wife, Susan McDaniel) of Minneapolis MN, Richard Earl Hill Jr., (wife, Lynn Hellhake) of Glenbeulah WI, Joy Anne Williams (husband Gary, deceased) of Port Charlotte FL, and Sarah Jean Pasierb (husband Patrick, deceased) of Saint Louis, MO.

The extended family includes eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. In Michigan, Mark Hill Jr. and wife Anna with children, Charlotte, Alexander, and Theodore. In Washington state, Beth Pothen with husband Patrick with children Grace and Cody. In North Carolina, Katherine Dragga with spouse Charlotte. In Minnesota, Amy Cosimini with husband Charles and children Lucca and Leo. In Wisconsin, Grant Hill with wife Melissa and sons James and Evan; Michael Travis and his daughter Willow. In Missouri, Kelsey Gant with husband Sean and sons Penn, Callahan and Crew; Alaina Scherer with husband Ben with children Dean and Scarlett; and Brett Pasierb.

Marilyn treasured her close relationship with her sister Kay and brother-in-law Don (deceased) of West Bend, WI, as well as close relationships with many cousins.

After her children were all in school, Marilyn went to Marquette University in Milwaukee WI where she earned her M.A. Years later while living in Huron, S.D. she won a Bush Leadership Fellowship which allowed her to complete academic courses required for a doctorate at the University of Minnesota, (ABD).

Marilyn’s career choices were influenced by the many moves and positions of her husband. As a Presbyterian pastor, he served churches in Grand Ridge, IL, Winneconne, WI, Galesville, WI, and Stevens Point, WI. When she lived in Stevens Point, WI she directed an Upward Bound program for Ho-Chunk Nation through the university there.

As her husband moved into academia serving as Asst. to the President at Carroll College, Waukesha, WI, then president of Huron College in Huron, SD. And later president of Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI, Marilyn taught sociology at Concordia College, Milwaukee, WI, Huron College and Lakeland College. She retired after 10 years with Donohue Engineering having been a social impact analyst and training manager at the Sheboygan, WI, firm.

Marilyn thoroughly appreciated her retirement years as a member of Pilgrim United Church of Christ on Port Charlotte, FL holding positions of Sunday School teacher & Stephen Minister, to chair of a fundraising for the Community Center where the library carries her name. She served a term as Moderator of the church and in 2004 was named Lay Woman of the Year by the Florida UCC Women. She began a program STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading) in the church for second grade students attending Deep Creek Elementary school who were having trouble with their reading skills.

She was a sixty year member of PEO and served as president of the Florida chapter GA and PEO twice. She maintained many college friendships especially with Delta Zeta sorority sisters. After moving to South Port Square, she enjoyed leadership roles including that as president of the South Port Square Residents’ Council.

In addition to her husband who died on May 18th, 2016, and her parents, others who have gone before her are two brothers, Charles Kenneth Thompson and Keith Robert Thompson and one infant son, Stephen Hill and her grown son Kenneth Lyle Hill.

Memorial contributions in Marilyn’s honor can be made to Pilgrim UCC, 24515 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33980.

A memorial service will be held in Marilyn’s honor on a date to be announced by her family at the Townhall of South Port Square in Port Charlotte, FL.

Private family burial will be at the cemetery of Immanuel United Church of Christ, in the Town of Herman, Plymouth, WI.