Joan B. Hill

Joan Brunelle Hill was born on September 13, 1940, in Ludlow, Massachusetts, to Ernest George and Helen Barna Brunelle. She grew up in Ludlow and graduated from Ludlow High School. Joan attended American International College in Springfield, Mass., and worked at the Springfield Public Library before moving with her sister Joyce to live in a house in Washington D.C. where Joan worked in the Bookmobile Program of the D.C. Public Library.

In D.C. she met her beloved Billy (Wilmer Bailey Hill,) a young attorney and partner in his family’s law practice. They married June 24, 1967. Joan, affectionately called “Goodie” by her husband, continued working with the Bookmobile until she and Bill welcomed their sons, Stuart Michael, in 1970, and Stephen Mark in 1974. Although she worked for a short time as a preschool teacher, Joan was mostly involved in creating a loving, gracious home for Billy and her boys first in D.C. and then in Chevy Chase, Maryland. During this period of her life, Joan started exercising her entrepreneurial talent as a successful Shaklee representative and then as an independent fashion coordinator for Weekenders. She and Bill enjoyed entertaining a large group of friends including Joan’s sister and brother-in law, Joyce and George, and Bill’s sister and brother-in-law, Dottie and Bob. They loved the many cultural attractions in the D.C. area, golf and social activities at Kenwood Country Club, and especially cheering for the Washington Redskins.

When Bill became an Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Joan supported Stuart’s extreme sports and Stephen’s music activities, traveled as she could with Bill in his responsibilities as a supervising judge for the SSA, and eventually started her career in the Beaverton School District as a special education assistant at Hazeldale School.

In 1992, Joan was selected as Principal’s Secretary at Aloha Park Elementary where she made a lasting and positive difference in the lives and learning of students, staff, and parents. She served as President of The Beaverton Association of Educational Office Professionals and was active in the BSD chapter of the Oregon School Employees Association. She was also the head secretary at Montclair Elementary and in the school district Human Resources Department. After retiring early due to a major stroke, Joan continued as a loyal and valued volunteer in HR and at Chehalem School. Equally important, she made many lasting friends who soon became family including Joan G. and Lynne.

Despite the effects of her stroke, several heart attacks, and surgeries, Joan persevered with incredible will and spirit. She and Bill continued to enjoy entertaining at the Portland Golf Club, attending music and dramatic performances in Portland, and watching televised pro football games, especially the Washington Redskins! They traveled throughout the USA and world wide, often with the travel club at First United Methodist Church where she and Bill were active members. The light of Joan’s life was her grandson Stuart James, who was born in 1994. She loved having him visit her, seeing him in Hood River, and keeping track of his skateboard, lacrosse, and skiing progress.

For the past few years, Joan was a resident at The Springs at Tanasbourne, where she developed close friendships and joyfully participated in many of the activities. In true Joan fashion, she was a favorite of the staff who assisted her just as she was of the doctors who supervised her care. The family would like to especially thank her heart specialist, Dr. Kenton Gregory; her primary care physician, Dr. Linda Cruz; the staff at the Anticoagulation Center at St. Vincent’s, the Providence Hospice team, and the dedicated community at The Springs with caring angels such as Pam, who became like family and enriched her life.

Joan passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, November 29, from the cumulative effects of congestive heart failure. A memorial service was held at First United Methodist Church in Portland on December 10 followed by a reception at The Springs for family, friends, and staff.

Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband Billy and her mother. She is survived by her father, Ernie Brunelle of Ludlow, Massachusetts; sister and brother-in-law Joyce and George Pazianos of Washington, D.C.; son Stuart and grandson Stuart James of Hood River, Oregon; son Stephen of Sandy, Oregon; Bill’s sister and husband, Dottie and Bob Hartland of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and longtime friends, Joan Gunning of Beaverton, Oregon and Lynne Booher of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Joan brought out the best in the many people she encountered throughout her life and will be greatly missed.

The family suggests donations in Joan’s memory go to the Oregon Fund for Regenerative Medicine c/o Blake Singer; 6950 SW Hampton Suite 100; Tigard, OR 97223 or to the Beaverton Education Foundation c/o Beaverton School District; 16550 SW Merlo Rd.; Beaverton, OR 97006.

Arrangements under the direction of Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, Beaverton, OR.