Sandra Jean Hill

Sandra Jean Hill, age 81, passed away in Surprise, Arizona on March 20, 2021 following a two-year battle with cancer. Her survivors include her spouse, Ralph Hill, of Surprise, two daughters, Deborah (Jim) Scharmota, Dory Blansit; one son, James Protzman, and her special "adopted" daughter, Sherry Walz, (Ignacio). Other surviving family members include her sister, Janet, five stepchildren, including: Mark, Cathi, Cindi, Rick and Cheri; 37 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and, one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Haines, and father, Charles Bright, two previous husbands, Harry Protzman and Anthony (“Tony”) Figueroa, and her youngest son, Daniel Protzman. Although not related by blood or marriage, there are many persons who have continued to call Sandy "mom" throughout their life, notably, Leon (a childhood friend of Dan's) and Dina, (a childhood friend of Dory's), as well as many others, When not spending her time devoting her attention to her family, Sandy enjoyed a number of past-times, notably card games, movies, crafting, traveling, and puzzles - though her favorite was always spending time with her extended family. Although born in Ohio, she lived the majority of her life in the West Valley area of Phoenix. She worked outside the home for approximately 10 years for Woolco in Glendale, Arizona and following her marriage to Tony she was happy and content to be a stay-at-home mother, still finding time to run a children's day care from the home. Although she herself never learned to swim, she spent the summers in the backyard pool making sure every child she watched, regardless of their age, learned to swim. She enjoyed frequent weekends shopping at garage sales and various second-hand outlets, forever on the lookout for clothing and various household items she thought would make life easier for any of her many children and grandchildren. She was known as the "energizer bunny" to her family, routinely spending visits to their homes, even in later life helping with various chores including laundry, house-cleaning and even decorating. Sandy was loved and cherished by her many friends and family and will be missed greatly by all.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for March of 2022. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.