Helen Marie Hill

Helen was born May 2, 1932, in Center Moriches, New York, the daughter of Anthony Karl Maschek and Helen Elenor Lamb.

At 2 years old, Helen contracted polio and went to live at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY. Although polio weakened her body, her spirit was strong. She was a survivor. She went on to graduate from Center Moriches High School, and Browne’s Business School. She was so dedicated to her education that she went back to school and graduated with a Liberal Arts degree from California State University Northridge at age 60!

Helen married Ramon Ashley in 1951 in Long Beach, California. They had 4 children – Diane, Teri, Wayne & Joyce. They divorced in 1964. Later Helen met James Rutherford Hill, and they were married in 1973 and remained married until he passed away in 2009.

Helen was a stay-at-home mom for many years, but after her divorce she worked in sales at Sears & Roebuck and at the Northridge Jewelry Store. When she met Jim she worked with him at his Auto Repair business, Bug Builders in Los Angeles. Later she and Jim formed QFS (Quality Food Services) and sold restaurant equipment throughout California. QFS started selling chicken fryers to KFC but later expanded into grocery stores eventually selling some of the first hot food bars in the country. Best fried chicken ever!

When Helen and Jim were ready to retire, they sold the business and spent time in their condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They traveled around the world via planes, automobiles and cruise ships! And wherever they went, they always found a local church to attend on Sundays.

Helen was a member of various Christian churches over the years, but more importantly she walked the walk. She sang in the Kathryn Kuhlman choir, worked in the church kitchen, and she volunteered at the Northridge Hospital gift shop. She was a foster mother to Roger and Brian Bell, and a legal guardian for Andy Blom. Her ability to provide comfort while also sharing life lessons with others is what made her special. She was loved and appreciated by many.

Helen was a wonderful cook, whose holiday meals were renowned as much for presentation as the delicious food. She had a large collection of China and could seat up to 25 on an extended dining room table. It was something to behold. She loved sharing a cup of coffee and a game of scrabble with dear friends. She “re-charged” by watching Hallmark movies or Perry Mason, while playing solitaire. And she was passionate about researching family genealogy. Her favorite meal was strawberry waffles with extra whipped cream. But most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren and would spend hours playing board games with them.

Remaining to cherish Helen’s memory are children: Diane Ashley, Teri Ashley Baum, Wayne Ashley and Joyce Ashley; grandchildren: John & James Ashley, Jason Baum, Desiree Ashley and Nathaniel Lapp; great-grandchildren: Kayralyn Ashley; nieces and nephews: Toni Maschek, Kevin Maschek, Joy Taylor, Anne Aldous, Steve and Connie Maschek.

Preceding Helen in death are her parents, her brothers, Anthony and Charles Maschek, her sister Bernice Titmus, her nephew Alan Maschek, as well as Helen’s husband Jim and former husband Ray.

Funeral services will be held September 5, 2025, at 10am at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall, California.

Memorial donations in Helen’s memory may be directed to www.langefoundation.org, www.redcross.org, or www.alz.org.