Hilary Luks Chiz

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
Do justly, now.
Walk humbly, now.
Love mercy, now.
You are not obligated to
complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
~ the Talmud

Hilary 'Muffin' Luks Chiz, a dedicated lifelong advocate for justice and good troublemaking, died peacefully with her children by her side on October 22, 2023, in Asheville, North Carolina, after bravely battling pancreatic cancer. She was 78 years old. For more than 5 decades, Hilary was unwavering in her commitment to peace, civil rights, free speech, gender, social, economic and racial equality, workplace safety and fair wages for all.

Hilary was not only known for her well-informed, principled, and resolute opinions, but also for her remarkable ability to bring joy to the lives of those around her. Her energy was boundless, unmatched by most people half her age. Even in the darkest times, her indomitable spirit and keen sense of humor shone brightly. She shared deep connections with countless people, many of whom credit her with profoundly influencing their careers and lives. One close friend remarked, "She was a piece of work-tough, jocular, a damned good cook, a critical thinker, fearless, soft, hard, vulnerable, single-minded, broad-minded, so much more."

Born in 1945 in the Deep South in Birmingham, Alabama, Hilary's Jewish upbringing in the suburb of Mountain Brook instilled in her a strong sense of social responsibility. After graduating from Shades Valley High School in 1963, she married, moved to Shaw, Mississippi, and raised two children, Scott and Liz. She later earned a BA in English Literature from Colorado College in 1981.

Her lifelong dedication to social justice issues began with her career in the mid 1970s. While taking classes at Delta State University, she became Associate Editor of Delta Scene magazine. Attending the 1976 Democratic National Convention as an alternate delegate further fueled an interest in politics and was a turning point in her life. During her tenure with American Friends Service Committee, she wrote and edited 'Created Equal', a newsletter dedicated to gender equality in public education.Between 1985 and 2001 she served as Executive Director of American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) affiliates in Mississippi, Georgia, and West Virginia. She transformed ACLU-WV into the professional organization it is today, as its first ever Executive Director. In the early 1990s, she was Director of Development with Legal Services Alabama. From 2001 to 2006, she was Director of Special Projects with PACE (Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union) in Nashville. After a merger, she joined USW (United Steelworkers Union) in Pittsburgh from 2006-2013 as a specialist with the Civil and Human Rights Department. She is revered by colleagues as being a tireless trailblazer and a fierce defender of civil liberties.

Upon retiring to Asheville, North Carolina, in 2013, she enjoyed spending time in her garden, collecting art, cooking, supporting local live music, traveling overseas on educational group trips, and tending to her nest, always striving to create a warm welcoming home for her to sit quietly or to entertain friends and family. Her eclectic collection of treasures and art, as carefully chosen as her friends, paint a colorful picture of her well-lived life. Even in retirement, her dedication to making the world a better place was firm, as she volunteered with the ACLU of North Carolina, Health Equity Coalition, Racial Justice Coalition, and Green Opportunities. She was a guardian ad litem, a volunteer advocate for children navigating the court system. She continued her quest for learning with online classes in all things that interested or fascinated her.

Hilary Chiz was preceded in death by her parents, Sol and Bertha (Krantz) Luks and her sister, Judy Luks. She is survived by her brother Marc Luks, her children Scott Chiz (Leslie) and Liz Chiz (Richard Metawi), many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins, as well as her wide circle of friends from around the globe, all of whom she loved deeply and unconditionally. A celebration of her remarkable life will be held at a later date.

Keep her light burning bright inside you and all around you, and never give up the fight for what is right and what is just.

The family asks donations to be given in Hilary's name to:

Blue Note Junction
www.bluenotejunction.com

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
www.pancan.org

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
give.ppsat.org

Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
www.msje.org/support