Lutie Hillaire

Lutie was born, June 16th, 1932, to George C. George and Agnes (Addie) Nanpuya in Bellingham Washington. Lutie was the oldest of 4 children. She grew up on the Lummi reservation and attended Chemewa Indian School; she later went to school and earned her associate's degree in nursing. And in 2023 She received an Honorary Bachelor’s degree from Northwest Indian College. She spent much of her time as a nurse working at different nursing homes. She also worked in CHR for the Lummi Clinic, Victims of Crime, working in the strawberry fields, filleting fish at the cannery and she loved most her role as an advocate on the Lummi Grandparents Committee. In the summer of 1961, she married the love of her life James Hillaire (Smitty). Together they had 3 children James Hillaire Jr., Edward Hillaire, Elaine Roberts and also raised and loved their nieces as their own, Lucetta and Willetta George. Lutie loved to do so many things but her favorite things included: · Knitting · Sewing · Crocheting · Beading · Riding horses in the Nespelem parade · Traveling all over to summertime Pow wows · Canoe Journey · Supporting her grandkids and great grand kids in any sporting event they participated in, choir or any other school events. · And most of all she loved her Blackhawks games, whether it was basketball, volleyball or Football, her and Smitty never missed a game. Lutie made friends wherever she went, she will be remembered by her family and friends for her prim and proper dress attire, she could be working in the garden, feeding her chickens or even while working out at Semiahmoo, she was always dressed her best. She always was a bird lover, at one point she owned every pheasant there was, finches and quails, she was known as the bird lady. Lutie is survived by her children James Hillaire Jr., Edward Hillaire, Elaine Roberts, Lucetta George-Grant and Willetta George. Her grandchildren, Antonia Jefferson, Raymond Hillaire Sr., Russell Roberts Sr., Jessica Roberts, Issac Jefferson, Lawrence Jefferson, Jamasina Hillaire, Anitra Hillaire, James Hillaire III, Kayleela Grayson. Numerous nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by both of her parents George and Agnes George, her husband James (Smitty) Hillaire, her sisters Sadie Kelly, Anita George, her brother Antone George.

Lutie Hillaire

June 16, 1932 - May 12, 2026