

in Vista, CA. She was 87 years old.
She was born on October 4, 1934, in Independence, MN, to Stanley E. Magnuson and Ida (Eileen)
Bunno Magnuson. Sharon went thru grade school at the Armstrong Schoolhouse in Maple Plain, MN.
She started 9th grade at Mound High school. Her senior year she was transferred to the new high
school, Orono High, where she graduated in 1952. She was voted best dancer by her classmates. She
had many longtime school friends. Her one dearest and lifetime friend was, Junie Alger Strassburg. They
were able to travel and have fun times together with their husbands.
In 1954 wanting to be somewhere sunny and warm, Sharon moved, with her friend, Lori Coulson, to
beautiful San Diego, CA. She worked for Bank of America, as a teller, at the Convair site office and the
Five Points Branch. She enjoyed going to Mission Beach with friends. On her 21st birthday she wore a
gorgeous red velvet dress and danced the night away atop the El Cortez Hotel in downtown San Diego.
A highlight of Sharon’s was one night out with her sister, Barbara, she danced with Country singer, Willie
Nelson.
She met a handsome young man back in those days, Dudley F. Swindall. They were married on, July
1st, 1956 and had two daughters, Rebecca and Carrie. Dudley died tragically in a motorcycle accident
on July 4, 1962. She persevered as a single mom with much help from the Magnuson and Swindall
families.
She married John H. Francis and had two more daughters, Angel and Dolly. It was a busy time with
four girls. After a few years Sharon was single again and worked very hard raising her girls. She sold
Avon for several years. She was very good at it and her customers loved her.
Luckily she met her longtime husband, William R. Hill at a group called, Christian Singles. They were
married on January 5, 1979. Bill adored Sharon and took such great care of her. They loved to travel and
took many cruise ship vacations and drove all over the country. The one cruise that was very meaningful
to her, was to Norway, where she visited the hometown of her Norwegian relatives.
In September of 1981 Sharon went to work, as an Instructional Aide at Los Altos Elementary School
in South San Diego. She was extremely talented and made good friends with teachers who absolutely
revered and depended on her. The children also treasured their, “Miss Hill”. She retired in June 1997.
Sharon enjoyed crocheting and sewing. She created many cozy crocheted blankets and handmade
clothing items for her family. She was an avid flower gardener and had many wonderful potted flowers.
She especially enjoyed geranium, bougainvillea and a variety of succulents. She cared greatly for
animals and had several dogs and cats. She had fond memories of her childhood dog named, Tippy.
She admired birds and had a little business breeding cockatiels called, “Maggie’s Magpies”. Sharon
collected antiques, angels, chickens, bears, apples and gorgeous jewelry.
She is survived by her loving husband William R. Hill of Vista, CA, who had, “43 of the best years of
his life”, with her. Her children, Rebecca Swindall Hazer (Bill) of San Diego, CA, Carrie Swindall Cipollone
(Larry) of East Burke, VT, Angel Francis of Chula Vista, CA and Tammy Hill Gates (Christopher) of Tucson
AZ.
Nine grandchildren, Mikaela Hazer, Lauren Stinehour (Max), Chris Cipollone (Dennise), Kyle Cipollone,
Ryan Francis (Charlotte), Caitlin Machado (Andrew), Elizabeth Larkin (Phil), Hannah Gates and Emily
Gates.
Five great grandchildren, Linnea Stinehour, Selene Sharon Stinehour, Lillian Francis, Coral Francis and
Emery Machado.
Her sister, Barbara A. Magnuson Paris of Port Orchard, WA. She also leaves behind her two beautiful
cats, Hope and Marco.
She was predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Eileen Magnuson, her brother, Robert L.
Magnuson, her daughter, Dolly J. Francis and her first husband, Dudley F. Swindall.
Sharon is interred at Miramar National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place on April 30,
2022 at 12:00pm, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, CA 92084
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