Patricia Antrim Hill

Patricia Antrim Hill was born September 16, 1928, in Oklahoma City. She was the daughter of James Windsor Antrim and Frances Swihart Antrim. Patricia left this life on January 30, 2022, at 93 years of age. She died peacefully in her home. Patricia graduated from Putnam City High School. She then entered Oklahoma State University where she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and served as its chapter President. In 1950, Pat graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. While at OSU, attending her sorority’s weekly Dance Hour, she met Neil Hill. Neil and Pat were married January 28, 1950, their marriage lasting two days short of 72 years. In the 1950’s, Pat was a member of the Mummers Theater and had fond memories of playing lead roles in its productions of Claudia, Bus Stop and Cradle Song. Pat taught school as a substitute teacher in the Oklahoma Public School system before joining Westminster School as a Trustee and then as one of the school’s first teachers, teaching kindergarten. She taught for seven years. In the mid-1950’s Pat and Neil bought a Correct Craft ski boat and began water skiing with friends at Lake Murray. Their “ski club” built a platform dock, anchored it in a cove, and spent long summer days swimming, skiing, and delighting in one another’s company, children included. Pat and Neil later sold their Correct Craft and in 1960 bought a Chris Craft ski boat, which was lovingly maintained through the years by Neil and their son, Patrick. Sixty-two years later, the Chris Craft is still with the Hill family at Grand Lake. Pat and Neil loved to dance, late into the night, at the Joie De Vie and Colony Club dance clubs and other venues at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club and at a joint or two, such as the Cove Club in Langley, Oklahoma, at Grand Lake. Beginning with a visit to the Cooper Aerobic Center in Dallas forty-five years ago, Pat and Neil ran for fun and in competition, well into their 80’s. In her age group, Pat placed first in nine Red Bud Classic 10K races, as well as fourteen other races in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Canada. She was three times named Fastest Female Runner of the Year, in her age group, by the Oklahoma City Running Club and was the USA Track & Field Outstanding Female Athlete of 1999, in the 70 – 74 Division. The award was presented in Los Angeles. In 1996, Pat ran the 26.3-mile New York City Marathon in 6 hours and 41 minutes, at the age of 68. Pat and Neil loved to travel. They bicycled throughout Europe and in China, and included their son, Patrick and his wife Barbara, their grandchildren, Cameron and Laura Jane on a bicycle trip along the Mosel River in Germany and in other adventures in England, Italy and France. Pat, known as Mere to her grandchildren, was a devoted and very fun grandmother. Her grandchildren adored her and will always remember with great fondness her Easter Egg hunts, Christmas Eve dinners and the many moments of engagement with someone who was truly interested in you and what you had to say.

Pat is survived by her son Patrick and his wife, Barbara and her granddaughter, Laura Jane Hill. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret King and brother-in-law, Dodge Hill and his wife, Lori, her cousin, John Swihart and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Neil, her grandson, Cameron Hill and her sister, Mary Frances Carle.

The family wants to express special appreciation for Laura Lynn’s Home Care and its caregivers who have cared for Pat and Neil over the past few years, always with extraordinary love and tender care. Our heartfelt thanks go to Cylandra, Tracy, Joalane, Vitina and Michelle.