Martha Ryan Hill

1919 - 2015

Hill, Martha Ryan





Martha Ryan Hill, 95, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 in Flagstaff, AZ. She was born to James Stanton Ryan and Lyda Murray Ryan on December 25, 1919 in Los Angeles, CA. Mrs. Hill spent her childhood in Silver City, NM and graduated from St. Mary's Academy High School. She graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI in 1941 with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism.



Following graduation, Mrs. Hill worked in the advertising department of the Silver City Daily Press. In the fall of 1941, she accepted a position with Radio Station KTSM in El Paso, TX. While living in El Paso, she met Captain Thomas D. Hill, who was stationed at Fort Bliss. They were married on February 3, 1943 at the Fort Bliss Chapel.



While her husband was sent overseas to serve in World War II, Mrs. Hill returned to Silver City. After the war, Mrs. Hill and her family resided briefly in Tulsa, OK and Dallas, TX before settling permanently in Silver City, NM. She and her husband lived at the Montebello in Albuquerque, NM from 2002 until 2009. She returned to Silver City in 2010 to live with her son, Harry Hill in the family home. She spent the last three years of her life in Flagstaff with her daughters, Janet Hill and Eve Coffman.



Mrs. Hill's life was devoted to her husband, her family and her church. A devoted Catholic, she was a member of St. Francis Newman Center Parish in Silver City, Risen Savior Catholic Parish in Albuquerque, and San Francisco de Asis Parish in Flagstaff.



Mrs. Hill was active in community affairs in Silver City. She was a member of the 24 Club and several bridge clubs. She enjoyed hobbies such as needlepoint and square dancing. She volunteered for the St. Mary's Academy PTA and continued her journalism talent by writing the bulletin for the St. Francis Newman Center for several years. She also served as a Eucharist Minister traveling to visit the home bound. Mrs. Hill traveled frequently across the United States and Europe to visit her children and welcome each new grandchild.



She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas D. Hill; her daughter-in-law, Sally Rose Hill; and her parents, Lynda and James Ryan.



She is survived by her nine children: Mary Elizabeth and her husband Don Richardson of Dallas, TX; Dr. Lyda Hill and her husband Dr. Joel Kotin of Laguna Beach, CA; Edith and her husband Dr. Richard Gibney of Waco, TX; Tim Hill of Coppell, TX; Lori and her husband Paul Martinelli of Yorktown Heights, NY; Janet Hill of Flagstaff, AZ; Eve Coffman of Flagstaff, AZ; Harry Hill and Misty Sadberry of Silver City, NM; Dennis Hill and his wife Marianne of Albuquerque, NM.



She is also survived by her two brothers, Murray Ryan of Silver City and James S. Ryan II of Williamsburg, VA; and her sister Mary Ryan Darling of Albuquerque, NM.



In addition, she is also survived by 24 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; five expected great-grandchildren; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.



A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2015 at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Parish, 1600 East Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the rosary at 10 a.m. with Rev. Patrick Mowrer and Rev. Greg Santos concelebrating.



In addition, a Memorial Mass for Mrs. Hill will be offered at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2015 at St. Francis Newman Center, 914 W. 13th Street, Silver City, NM, with Fr. Anthony Basso as celebrant.



Interment will be held at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, TX.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness/New Mexico, 2015 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite E, Albuquerque, NM 87112 (www.nami.org); Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047 (www.lbda.org); Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478 (www.brainbank.mclean.org); or the charity of your choice.



Mrs. Hill's family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the Olivia White Hospice House caregivers and staff in Flagstaff, her care providers in Albuquerque and Silver City and her many devoted friends who have loved and supported her throughout her life.



Entrusted to the care of Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary, 2545 N. Fourth Street, Flagstaff, AZ. (928-774-1467)