Judy Jo Hills' Obituary
Judy Jo Rhoades Hills passed away at home on February 27, 2010 embraced in the love of her family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held, 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 6th at the Alano Club, 215 N 6th, St. Helens, Or
Judy was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado March 23, 1943 to Inez Giffen and Charles Rhoades. In 1954 she and her family moved to Portland from Casper, Wyoming. The fourth of eight children she became the primary caretaker of her four younger siblings at the age of eight because her mother often worked three jobs to support the family. Judy attended Highland Grade School and Jefferson High School. In 1960 she married and moved to California. She returned to Portland and divorced her first husband.
Judy worked as a bartender to help support her children and in August of 1964 she met Dennis Hills who had just been discharged from the Army. She was his favorite bartender and he fell deeply in love with her and to his great joy she agreed to marry him in March of 1967.
Her childhood dream was to live in the country and she had her dream. A hundred acres with cattle, and horses and creatures of all kinds. Her happiest days were living in the country even though it was a time filled with hard work. She and Dennis remodeled two homes and built two others. Judy learned to be a carpenter, sheet rock finisher, septic system installer, electrician whatever was required or needed to finish the job. She was a strong willed and independent person, she called Dennis one day at work and said he didn't need to buy her a birthday gift as she had got what she wanted. When he got home from work the next day he found her in the field clearing a fence line with her gift - her very own chain saw. She worked for a while as a woodworker and then later as a candle maker but most of all she loved being at home building a life for her family.
Judy's greatest advocacy was working with women in recovery. In recovery herself for thirty-nine years she knew and understood the hardships women experience in alcoholism, abuse, and addiction and gave generously and lovingly of her time and energy to help others. She spent so much time on the phone helping others that she finally had to have a cordless phone with a headset so she could complete her chores. When a treatment center was built in Saint Helens, she began to work with women from all parts of the Oregon and Washington. Many of whom continued to call and check in long after they had left treatment and returned home.
Judy never felt that she was anyone special, just one person helping another. But there are hundreds of women throughout Oregon and Washington who know better. As long as they stay in recovery, they will remember and pass on the common sense and wisdom Judy shared with them. The mother of one young woman said it best in a letter of thanks "Some people go their whole life without ever knowing what they were here for and, whether you know it or not, your are here to salvage lives and all of us want to be you." As long as her wisdom is passed on by those with whom she shared and cared - she will live.
Judy is survived by her husband of forty-two years, Dennis B Hills and her four children, Richard Ray Hills, Carmen LeAn Kauffman, Ronda Marie Holdridge and Dennis Chauncey Hills, fourteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A sister Cindy Pullen of Vancouver WA, brother Mike Rhoades of Portland, OR, sisters Connie of Vale, OR and Shirley of Eugene, OR. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brothers Jim, Lonnie and Ricky.
Memorial donations in her name may be sent to the Saint Helens Alano Club, 215 N 6th, St. Helens, Or.
on-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.columbiafh.com
Columbia Funeral Home-Directors
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