Dec 5, 1913 - Sept 10, 2008

Sonora resident Dorothy "Doreen" Boyd Hill died Sept.10 at her home in Sonora, California. She was 94.

She was born in Bangor, Northern Ireland, to William and Margaret Boyd. The family emigrated to a chicken ranch in Santa Cruz, CA. in 1921, where they lived for seven years, and then moved to Oakland, where Mrs. Hill spent much of her life. She married Tom Hill, whom she had met in church in 1936. Upon her husband's retirement, they moved to Hayward where they lived for 25 years until moving to Skyline Place in 2003.

For many years, she and her husband hosted a children's Friday night Bible club in their garage. She would entertain visitors to their church in Oakland, as well as many preachers and missionaries. She and her late husband also had a clothing center in their home for more than 20 years to help missionaries and preachers with clothing and small household supplies. She became a Christian at the age of 15.

She was a member of Bethany Gospel Chapel in Oakland from 1928 until she moved to Sonora, where she became a member of Sierra Bible Church.

Her family said she loved gardening, a passion that continued throughout her life. In fact, she created a garden at Skyline Place while she lived there for the pleasure of the residents.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Tom Hill [OHS Jun'22], in May 2007; and son-in-law, Bob Woodford, in 1987.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Richard Arndt of Sonora; daughter, Harriet Hill, of Los Angeles, grandsons, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren, David and Lorelei Woodford and Ryan, all of Sonora, John and Susie Woodford and Rachel, Robert, Jake and Victoria, all of San Jose, and Douglas and Margie Woodford and Daniel, Matthew, Andrew and Joseph all of Palmer, Alaska.

Burial will take place Wednesday at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Skyline Place.

Memorial donations may be made to Mount Hermon Association, Inc. PO Box 413, Mount Hermon, CA 95041, or Open Door Mission, PO Box 1904, Oakland, CA 94607.

Chapel of the Chimes handling arrangements.