Lorraine Ann Hill

Lorraine was born October 16, 1925, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Jane “Jen” and Leonard “Len” Shepard. After her inspiring and spiritual life of 98 years, God called Lorraine home on December 26, 2023.

She leaves behind four children: Jane Hill, Beverly Hill, Robert “Bob” Hill III (wife Katherine), and Judy Hill-Sullivan (husband David). Also cherishing Lorraine’s memory are four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her sister Evelyn Cole, and a wealth of family and friends. Gone before to welcome Lorraine home to Heaven are her husband Robert “Bob” Hill, Jr., a granddaughter, her parents and three brothers.

Growing up in Newtown, Connecticut, Lorraine was surrounded with love and laughter, as well as faith and fortitude, which sustained the Shepard family through the Great Depression and WWII. She inherited her father’s Irish wit and gift for telling funny stories, as well as her mother’s beauty. She enjoyed poetry, reading classics, dancing, acting in plays with the Newtown Players, and singing in the choir at St. Rose Catholic Church. It naturally developed that Lorraine saw everyone she met as a friend.

After graduating high school in 1943, Lorraine began working at Chance Vought Aircraft in Stratford, Connecticut. When the Vought company moved its jet-building operations to Grand Prairie, Texas, Lorraine accompanied them to set up Vought’s medical department. There she met her future husband Bob Hill, Jr., whom she married in 1949. Their four children were born during 1950-1956, keeping Lorraine busy at home caring for the kids.

Bob’s work in aeronautical engineering and maintenance required the Hill family to lead a nomadic life – moving from Texas to Illinois, back to Texas, then Ohio, California and Mississippi. During the sixties, Lorraine began helping as a homeroom mother for Catechism classes. By the time the Hill family reached Biloxi, Mississippi, and Sacred Heart parish in 1969, Lorraine was a seasoned religion teacher. She earned a certificate as Master Catechist and Director of Religious Education from Loyola University New Orleans' outreach program. As always, Lorraine captivated her students with a theatrical teaching style infused with merriment and wit. She taught religion at Sacred Heart Academy 1970-1980, served as Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart 1970-1985, was a catechetical trainer for the Diocese of Biloxi 1970-2005, and volunteered at Keesler Air Force Base 1990-2005.

In 2005 disaster struck in the form of Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed Lorraine and Bob’s Biloxi home and belongings. Their children evacuated them to Texas, where Bob passed away in 2007. Lorraine continued her passion as a member of St. Michael Archangel parish in Grand Prairie. At age 82, she began teaching Faith Formation classes and serving in the Legion of Mary. Lorraine eventually retired to Mt. Creek Retirement Living, successfully petitioned for a chapel to be installed there, attended Bible Study classes, and loved to play bridge and put together puzzles. She made many lovely friends at Mt. Creek, and relished living in a community where every day meant sharing life with her pals.

During her last days on earth, Lorraine enthusiastically continued to spread God’s word, remembering each hospital staffer’s name and telling them, “Jesus loves you, and I’m going to tell Him what a good job you’re doing.”

Mass celebrating Lorraine's wonderful life will be offered at St. Michael Archangel Catholic Church, 2910 Corn Valley Road in Grand Prairie on January 10, 2024, at 10am Rather than calling hours, the family would like to invite Lorraine's friends to gather at the church at 9:30am to recite the Rosary together. Lorraine will be buried with her husband at DFW National Cemetery in Grand Prairie.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Lorraine’s name to the charity of your choice.