Lois Hills Yandon

Lois Hills Yandon

August 10, 2025

NORTH CREEK, N.Y. - Lois Hills Yandon, 97, of North Creek, N.Y., passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, at Elderwood at North Creek, surrounded by the love and care of a devoted community. Her family extends their deepest gratitude to the caregivers who treated her with dignity, compassion, and affection in her final years.

Born in Johnsburg, N.Y., Lois was the eldest of five children of Gladys Armstong Hills and Russell Amah Hills. She was born at the Armstrong family farm on Garnet Lake Road, where her values of hard work, education, and faith were nurtured. Her love of learning began in a one-room schoolhouse taught by her grandmother, Martha Armstrong, where Lois helped stoke the wood stove to keep the classroom warm.

Lois graduated as valedictorian from North Creek High School in 1946 with a Regents average of 96 percent. She continued her studies at Skidmore Extension in Glens Falls and later earned her master's degree in English and mathematics from Albany Teachers College. During her college years, she met Harold "Jim" Yandon, the love of her life. They were married on June 30, 1951, at St. James Catholic Church in North Creek, where Lois remained a devoted parishioner for 77 years after converting to Catholicism.

In the early 1960's, Lois and Jim moved to North Creek, where they raised their five children, Russell, Judith, Barbara Jeanne, Charles, and David, in a home filled with love, faith, and service. Lois began her teaching career at Johnsburg Central School and later taught for over 25 years at Minerva Central School, where she was known for her warmth, patience, and unwavering belief in her students. Lois's life was a beautiful blend of service, family, and joy. She served on the Johnsburg Central School Board, Adirondack Community Outreach Center, Tannery Pond Community Center, and the Town of Johnsburg Library Board. She was a founding supporter of the Johnsburg Dollars for Scholars program and often drove students to visit college campuses. She tutored math students in her home well into retirement.

Her commitment to the educational process was lifelong and deeply personal-she believed that every student deserved the opportunity to grow, to be challenged, and to be supported in their learning journey. Her legacy is one of nurturing potential and inspiring excellence. Lois was honored by the Girl Scouts in 2006 as a Woman of Distinction and was a beloved figure in the North Creek community.

During her retirement years Lois joined the Johnsburg Fine Arts group and learned to paint under the guidance of Kate Hartley. Lois assisted in the first year of the North Creek Mosaic mural. She was in the women's golf league at Green Mansions and played bridge weekly at the Johnsburg Senior Center. Lois started snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. She enjoyed the month of March in Florida. Lois visited the Holy Land and Egypt. She toured seven European countries, and she took a road trip from North Dakota through the Rocky Mountains to Sedona, Ariz. Lois tended her flower garden and baked lots of pies and thrived in the company of her grandchildren.

Besides her parents; Lois was predeceased by her husband, Jim; daughter, Barbara Jeanne Klippel; siblings: John Hills, Richard Hills, and Joyce Hills Meng.

She is survived by her brother, Donald Hills; children: Russell (Mary Jane), Judith (John Stafford), Charles (Carolyn), and David Yandon; sons-in-law, Steph Svrchek and Eric Klippel; her nine grandchildren: Matthew Klippel, Marcy DePoala, Holly Yandon, Nicole Yandon, Natasha Svrchek West, Olivia Svrchek Valenti, Martina Svrchek, Rachel Yandon, and Casey Estrumse. She also leaves behind thirteen great-grandchildren-nine boys and four girls-ranging in age from eight months to 17 years-each a cherished part of her legacy.

Lois's life was filled with music, laughter, and dancing. Her favorite songs included Sentimental Journey and Cab Driver by The Mills Brothers, and she was known to never sit still when the music played. Her home was a haven of warmth, acceptance, and unconditional love-a place where everyone felt welcome and nourished.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Lois Hills Yandon Memorial Scholarship, which will support a deserving senior graduating from Johnsburg Central School or Minerva Central School who is pursuing a career in education. Checks can be made out to "Lois Hills Yandon Memorial Scholarship" and mailed to: Nicole Yandon 3808 Deer Meadow Run, Macedon, NY 14502 or Adirondack Community Outreach Center, P.O. Box 201, North Creek, NY 12853.

Lois's life was a testament to kindness, loyalty, strength of character, and respect for all. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family, her students, and the community she so deeply loved. We are proud to be known as "The Yandon kids," and we will carry her light.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. on September 6th at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Olmstedville, followed by interment at St. James Cemetery in North Creek. A celebration of life will follow immediately after the interment at the North Creek Volunteer Fire Department, beginning at 2 p.m. Guests are invited to wear joyful colors in honor of Lois's vibrant spirit and the beauty of her garden. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences and guest book.