Susan Hill

Susan D. Hill (“Sue”), born on September 1, 1945, was the second child of Ann and Joe Hill. Ann was a Dental Hygienist, and Joe was a Machinist who worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Susan also had a brother, Joe, who was older by six years. Sue grew up on Champlost Avenue in Philly, in the same house owned by her grandmother. Her mother continued to live there until her death in the late 1970’s. Educated in the Philadelphia School system, Sue attended the Julia Ward Howe Elementary School, and later the Philadelphia High School for Girls, graduating in 1962.. Life outside of school and the home revolved around the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church, a strong religious community in which the Hill family was deeply immersed. At Mt. Carmel, the family attended weekly Sunday services and was involved in many of the church-sponsored social activities, making cookies, Christmas soldiers from clothes pins, and many friendships. They organized the Summer Picnic at Washington Crossing Park. Susan would go on to teach Sunday School there, and later, would become Superintendent of the Sunday School program. The Hill family also travelled, making trips and memories throughout the United States and Canada. Traveling instilled in Sue a curiosity about the world and a love of discovery, learning, and adventure. After graduation from West Chester University with a degree in History, Sue began her career at Martin Luther King High School, teaching Social Studies. She would go on to get her Master’s Degree in Education from Temple University, graduating in 1969. She was known as a dedicated and respected teacher until her retirement in 1999. Teaching during the school year allowed the opportunity for summertime travel, a passion that fueled the independent and strong-minded Susan, who knew what she wanted in life and just did it. After Sue’s mother passed away, she made plans with her friend of many years, Norma Fields, to visit Egypt and Greece. They spent nearly two weeks in Cairo and Athens, marveling at the different sights and cultures, enjoying the food, and learning about the Egyptian kings and pharaohs. From their hotel balcony, they watched teenagers climb the pyramids under the moon’s light. Over the years, Norma and Sue travelled to many different countries: England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Yugoslavia, Japan, China and Thailand, where they sailed on river boats as they passed by buildings adorned in gold. Other notable travels included visiting Russia with her sister-in-law, Beryl. She also treated her niece, Susan, to a trip to Disney World in 5th grade, and another trip to Maui for her 13th birthday. Sue was a bright light in her family’s world, a lady of faith in God, and a promotor of peace and the belief that everyone should be true to themselves.