Ellen Anne Hill

After an aggressive battle with Rapidly Progressive Alzheimer’s Disease, Ellen Hill died on September 30th surrounded by her family.

Never one to take the spotlight, Ellen always said she didn’t need an obituary but her children felt it important to shine a light on her life. She was a deep and complex soul who loved fiercely and had a wicked sense of humor – her side eye was infamous among friends. When given the choice, she always preferred meaningful one-on-one conversations to large gatherings.

Ellen Anne Smith was born on September 22nd, 1948 in Boston, MA. She grew up in the working class neighborhood of Dorchester and went to Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School. Her lifelong love of reading and passion for books started at the young age of four. A voracious reader, she worked her way through the children’s section of her local library and by the time she was in elementary school she was reading Charles Dickens. A creative child, she loved to draw, write, and go to the cinema. She had dreams of going to college, but when she was seventeen her father died suddenly and her life shifted. She set her dreams aside and worked many jobs to support her family. These jobs ranged from working at an insurance company to using her drawing skills as a cartographer at a map company.

In 1975 her life shifted again, this time for the best. She met the love of her life, John Gordon Hill, and they began a conversation that lasted for the next 50 years. When they decided to start a family they moved to Seattle where John was originally from, making their home on Mercer Island. A staunch feminist, Ellen believed in all women having the rights and power to choose whatever job they wanted. For Ellen, that job was to be a full-time stay at home mother to her three children. She spent countless hours volunteering in their schools, and as a PTA President advocated for improving public schools and supporting teachers. When she wasn’t holding down the fort, she was also helping John with his film production company, answering phones, helping with research, being a sounding board for ideas, and sometimes being the off-camera interviewer for his documentaries.

Ellen and John found their spiritual home at St. Paul's Episcopal Church where they were members for over 45 years. They were drawn to a church that accepted all, had a thoughtful liturgy, and a vibrant music program. Ellen and John were integral and active members of the parish — serving on search committees, vestries, and helping to spearhead two major renovations.

Ellen was always passionate about worker’s rights, economic justice and believed all children deserve an equal opportunity to succeed in life. She set up the Hill Fund for Babies at Treehouse to help foster families receive car seats, strollers, and other supplies for infants. She was a dedicated supporter of Youth Theatre Northwest for 40 years and was dubbed their “Fairy Godmother”. As an avid theatergoer and supporter, she also served on the board of Seattle Shakespeare Company.

Ellen is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Gordon Hill; children Anne Thomson and husband James Thomson, Megan Hill and partner Brad Krumholz, Michael Hill and wife Liz Berry; grandchildren Felix, Toby, and Jasper Thomson, and George and Eleanor Hill; nephew Eamon Espey; and dear cousins Barbara McGlory, Barbara Taylor, Eve and Rob Patterson, and Neil McGlory.

A Requiem Mass and Interment will be held jointly for both Ellen and John at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 1st at 1pm. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Youth Theatre Northwest or Treehouse (Hill Fund for Babies).