Dianne M. Hill

Dianne Marie Hill (1950 - 2024)
Dianne Hill, 74, of Mio, MI passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home and surrounded by loved ones on June 25, 2024.
She was born January 26, 1950 in Detroit, MI to Lloyd and Helen Pake (Sankuer). Her father died when she was a little girl, and when Helen re-married Ronald Girling she got another Dad. She was the oldest of six children and so began her lifelong love of caring for others.
She attended Warren Woods high school before majoring in Special Education at Western Michigan University. For the majority of her career Dianne worked as a Head Start teacher, visiting 3 and 4 year olds in their homes. She loved these children as her own, and the impact she had on each of their lives was evident, as many of her students visited her as adults, even in her final days.
In 1978, Dianne married Robert Hill and they moved to Mio, MI. They built a small home on a small hill and filled it with a huge amount of love. They had a son Robert (Rob). She was the most loving wife and mother that two guys could ask for. Dianne loved spending time with her family and friends. They vacationed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and ventured to the mountains of Montana on multiple occasions. That said,
Dianne didn’t have to go far to enjoy her life. She spent countless hours cultivating the most beautiful gardens. She turned her yard into a sanctuary for birds. She was an artist. She wrote a children’s book about birds and created her own illustrations using collage. She was a photographer, and she and Bob spent many afternoons together on the Mio Backwaters where she would net fish for him and he would navigate to just the right spot for her to capture wildlife on her camera. One of her favorite places was the front porch on their home. She spent many summer mornings here – teaching Rob to play chess as a young mother and absorbing the warm sun, fresh air and peace it offered even just this spring. Dianne was a woman of great faith, and always put God first in her life.
Dianne was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd, Helen and Ronald, and her Father-in-law Milton. She is survived by the love of her life, husband, best friend and faithful caregiver, Robert (Bob) Hill, her only Child, Robert (Rob) Hill, daughter in law Adrienne (she finally got the girl she had always prayed for, for her son), Mother in law Charmaine, sisters Mary Ellen, Rosemary and Sue, Brothers Lloyd and Ronnie, Grandchildren in law Winter and Jaxon, dedicated caregivers, Javon, Leona and Michelle and a bunch of the best dogs, Sadie, Barley and Oatey to name a few.
A celebration of life service will be held at theTriPoint Church of God in Mio, MI at 11:00am on August 17, 2024. In lieu of flowers or gifts, you may contribute to the Dianne Hill Memorial Fund, established in 2024 to help children and families in need. Dianne would say “always give something back” and so her family will do so in her honor. Contributions can be sent to:
Dianne Hill Memorial Fund c/o Rob Hill
1060 N. Elevation St.
Hancock, MI 49930

Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio.