Mary Lois Hill

Mary Lois Hill, 83, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away October 19, 2021. She was born February 9, 1938, in Indianapolis, Indiana to James and Lois Lemon Schooley. Mary Lois Schooley grew up between Indianapolis and Denver where she developed a lifelong love of the Rocky Mountains and desire to raise a family in Colorado.

She met her husband, Richard “Dick” Hill, at work in Indianapolis, where they were married in 1958. As soon as they could, they moved to Denver and enjoyed several years of weekend trips skiing in Aspen and suffering through the first years as Denver Broncos fans. Her husband Richard's job took them to Las Vegas, Nevada where their first child, Elizabeth Ann was born in 1966. There they found and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which she was proud to be a member and remained so for the rest of her life. A brief job transfer in 1973 to New Brunswick, New Jersey brought the birth of her second child, Lydia Marie. The family moved back to the Las Vegas, Nevada area by the end of 1973 until 1980 when she was finally able to go "home" to Colorado.

Her husband, Richard Hill, died suddenly in 1995 and although she was certain she'd never marry again, she did get the opportunity again in 2011 when she married Duane “Dewey” Searle. They had four sweet years together before he passed away in 2014. She loved both Dick and Dewey and would frequently say she talked to them both every night to tell them she loved them.

Mary Lois loved her family (especially being a granny), the teachings and community of the LDS church, and Colorado. She was prolific at knitting, quilting and all manner of sewing. She loved music, in particular live concerts, and spent many years traveling with her sister, Irma, to Broadway plays. Her sly sense of humor always managed to bring comfort and ease to any situation, and she will be remembered for many tear-jerk laughing sessions, especially when she and Irma were together.

A loving wife, mom, granny and great-granny, Mary Lois is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Bate (husband, Ross) and Lydia Hill (wife, Cara Voutselas); grandchildren, Richard Hill-Bate, Aaron Bate, Summer Schleich (husband, Ryan), Justin Bate; and three great-grandchildren, Shaylee Hill-Bate, Blake Bate and Nolan Schleich. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Hill in 1995, her second husband, Duane Searle in 2014 and her sister, Irma in 2020.

A viewing will be held from 9:00-10:30am on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Horan & McConaty, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80246.

A graveside service will follow at 11:00am, on Tuesday, October 26th at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80247. Please enter the Cemetery through the North entrance off Alameda and gather at Staging area ‘B’ at 10:45am.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences by sharing on the adjoining tribute wall. Thank you.