Mary Lois Hill

Mary Lois Hill Mary Lois (Monyhan) Hill was born on Oct. 28, 1922 and passed away November 09, 2012, just turning 90 years. The young Mary Lois Monyhan grew up on a peach orchard east of Vincennes, Indiana. Vincennes, a former French fur trading post, was one of the oldest villages inhabited by Europeans west of the Appalachian Mountains. Mary grew up with a living awareness of history. During the depression homeless men often inquired at the back door of the peach orchard home seeking employment and food scraps. Seeing direct evidence of need, Marys mother would launch some of the first charitable soup kitchens in Vincennes. Her mothers kindness to the poor would have an indelible impact on Mary. Mary Lois was an excellent student, excelling in French and music, playing the piano, clarinet, and violin. To help out the family she worked as a waitress in a local restaurant. Early in 1940, during her senior year in high school, Mary Monyhan married William H. Day of Linton, Indiana. While married she completed her year at Lincoln High School, graduating with the class of 1940, a class that would be devastated by WWII. Wartime employment induced the Monyhan and Day families to move to Evansville, IN. If there were two pivotal events that impacted their lives, they were the Great Depression and World War Two. Mary and William Day had two children, William Robert Day and Carol Anne Day (Wingler). Mary was preceded in death by her husbands William Day and Oliver Hill, parents Clyde William and Ola Dale Monyhan, siblings Robert, James, and John Monyhan, Ruth Bussabargar and daughter Carol A. Wingler. She is survived by her son William (Lynn) Day and grandchildren; Kelly Day (Dan) Rubinstein, Scott Day, Mark Wingler, Matt (Heather) Wingler, and great-granddaughter Lauren Wingler. In the 1950s Mary achieved considerable recognition in Evansville, Indiana as a private music teacher and activist with the League of Woman Voters. Later she would be recognized by President Dwight Eisenhower for her work on behalf of women voters. The marriage of William and Mary ended in 1961, resulting in Mary moving to Washington, DC to live with an elderly aunt. She soon went to work for the YWCA, in addition she enrolled at the University of Maryland. After slugging it out as a part-time day and night student, Mary would earn a BS degree. In time Mary moved up to Capitol Hill where she was employed by the U.S. Senate. Mary worked for a number of Senate committees and in time became Executive Secretary to Senators Vance Hartke and Birch Byah of Indiana. She was delighted with this contact with her deep Indiana roots. Marys U.S. Senate years included service with the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, having a major role in the writing of the 25th amendment to the US constitution. During her years employed by the U.S. Senate, Mary Hill would also volunteer with the Salvation Army in Alexandra, Virginia, often playing piano or organ. When President Johnson launched the Office of Economic Opportunity Mary was offered a management post. She loved this mission as it was in harmony with her mandate to help others. Mary married Oliver L. Hill, an accountant from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. On weekends they could be found afloat on Chesapeake Bay. Mary pursued a number of diverse interests; she earned a Coast Guard nautical navigators license, and a FAA pilots license (following the lead of her airline pilot son), and in time owned two small airplanes. One aircraft required modification to the rudder pedals to accommodate her diminutive height. Her passion for aviation was eclipsed by her love for the piano. Both disciples challenged Marys insatiable appetite for challenges After retirement from federal employment, Mary lived in an aviation community at Spruce Creek, Florida and worked for the State Department of Corrections. After much coaxing by her son, she moved to Bellingham in 1997. Still eager to serve, she found her niche providing piano music at many senior citizen assisted living and nursing facilities in the Bellingham/Ferndale area. In time Mary would join the millions suffering from dementia. When she passed away she was residing at the skilled nursing facility Good Samaritan Society – Stafholt in Blaine. Farewell Tribute Information There will be a private burial followed by a memorial service on Wednesday, November 14 at 3:30pm in the chapel Moles Farewell Tributes – Greenacres Memorial Park on the corner of Northwest Ave. and Axton Road. The will be a reception afterwards at the residence of her son William. Donations Information Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 5036, Bellingham, WA 98227

Mary Lois Hill

October 28, 1922 - November 9, 2012