Sandra L. Claire Hill

Sandra L. Claire Hill died at home in Virginia on November 25, 2025, surrounded by family that loved her dearly and will miss her forever. She was known to her family and friends as "Sandie" in her early years, and "Claire" later in life. She was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by two brothers, four children, and five grandchildren.
A native of Avondale, Arizona, Claire attended Agua Fria High School, earned three Bachelor's degrees from the University of Arizona, and later a Master's degree from California State University Fresno. She loved learning, building up a large library of books on her personal and professional interests. She was a Registered Nurse and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She devoted her professional life to helping the sick and hurting, first as a hospital nurse, then as a therapist for the chronically mentally ill, then counseling families and children. She spent her final professional years serving the mental health needs of military veterans at Eielson Air Force Base.
Claire's friends remember her kindness, generosity, and deep Christian faith. She never met a stranger and enjoyed long conversations with anyone she met, making friends quickly, listening to their struggles, and sharing her empathy, compassion, and faith. She loved the outdoors, traveling, and attending concerts. She was a state tennis champion in high school, and an avid runner and hiker. She camped with grizzlies in Alaska, and took world adventures to Ireland, Scotland, Kuwait, and Thailand.
Claire's ultimate devotion in life was her children, who she raised with love, giving them everything she could. A nomad and adventurer at heart, her life and work took her from Arizona to Colorado, Iowa, Washington, California, Alaska, Hawaii, and finally to Virginia, where she spent her final years living with and helping her son, daughter-in-law, and their two children. She was a treasured member of the family and created sweet times and precious memories while cooking, going to her grandchildren's activities, RV camping, enjoying holidays, and experiencing everyday joys together.
A celebration of life will be held in January 2026 at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.