(click on "archives" at right to see comments dating from January 15)

It has taken us a while to regain our composure, all the while gaining our thoughts and memories of Heide Hill. The latter has been easy to do . Our family has only wonderful, warm, cherished memories of her. Our 4 children were blessed to have her as their teacher. Cory, 1st and 2nd grade (multiage), Amber, 2 years also, Jillian, math and Chad, this year. (That's a lot of years with Clifford.) And we as a family were blessed and so fortunate to have her as part of our family all of these years.
She truly adored all of her students. Our kids learned many lessons during their years with Mrs. Hill.
Cory-" She taught me how to do the "lesser than and greater than" in math. The shark eats the greater #."
Amber-"Even when I no longer attended Rock Creek, she always made a point to say "Hi" to me."
Jillian- "She had a heartwarming smile."
Chad- " She always helped me and she always was smiling."
She was an inspiration to all of us. She never slowed down. Her genuine kindness, endless patience and overflowing love. She was the best, will always be remembered and loved.
~The Maheu Family

"YOU GO GIRL!!!!" That is what I always said to myself when I would run into Heide on one of her neighborhood walks. She always greeted me with a beautiful smile and a sparkle in her eye. As we went our separate ways I always had a lighter bounce in my step, she lifted my spirts whenever I saw her.

I feel honored to say that Heide Hill was a friend of mine. To make myself feel better, I picture Heide in Heaven, she is in good health, surrounded by flowers, and she is smiling that glorious smile of hers.

~Tani Alten

What can I say about Heide that already hasn't been said? All I know is that every time we were toghether, we would laugh. Sometimes so hard we would almost cry. That was my friend Heide. The goofy things that we did at work (in high school) just to get through the day, we still talked about all the time. With Heide, you always knew it would be fun, rain or shine. Those summers at the coast with our girl's, I will never forget. I have so many precious memories of you Heide. I will always take you with me when I'm walking on the beach.
I love you Heide.
~Kristin

When I moved to Oregon in the summer of '94 Heide was one of the first
people I met. I will never forget her big smile as she was swimming with
Jordan in the baby and me class at Aloha High School. We weren't friends at
that time, but she emitted this aura about herself that I would never
forget in the short four weeks we were in the class.

About two years and a new house later I was walking with my daughter and
who did we run into but Heide and Jordan. We had moved right around the
block from each other! My daughter Taylor and Jordan I believe have been
joined at the hip ever since. Heide and I did become friends and what a
friend she was! If she wasn't taking Taylor some place and spoiling her
rotten, she was bringing me cookies and calling to see how I was doing.
When I was pregnant with my son, Heide had just found out she had cancer.
Not once did she show me fear or anger, she was determined to beat it and
she did or so we thought. She was the first friend to the hospital to hold
my newborn son and remembered my favorite flowers were tulips and had
gotten me a beautiful bouquet.

I will never forget the conversation we had last January when she said it
was back and not in a good way. She was angry and we shared a tear and I
told her she could do it!! After all, we sinners needed her here and God
couldn't possibly want her so soon. We laughed and she said "Oh Amanda!" It
was true! Heide was the angel and none of us could ever compare to her!
Over the past year Heide taught me more about life and how precious it
really is. She called me five days before she passed and scolded me for
having Jordan over so much. We had several good laughs and I told her to
hurry up and get better that there were Lemon Drops to drink and we girls
missed her so much over the holidays.

Heide was a bright light in my heart and to all of those around her that
will never go out. It was a privilege to be her friend and I am looking
forward to seeing that light continue in her girls. We will all continue to
take a piece of her through our lives and hopefully make the world a better
place.

~Amanda J. Dorsett

please feel free to email your thoughts to me at: cmatsuo@aol.com I will be happy to post them. thanx

Heide was my angel here on earth:-) In all my life I have never met anyone like her. I remember when I heard that she had cancer, I feared the worse. Because, if I were looking for Angels, I would pick Heide.

The thing that I remember about Heide the most was how she would never say anything bad about anyone, believe me, several of us tried. When we were being caddy at a Soccer Game, Heide would just laugh and give us that beautiful smile of her's. Once someone was being very loud and rude, while several of us were saying what a Jerk this person was being, Heide said "Oh maybe he's just having a bad day." When we said "NO" he's a blankety-blank, Heide said "you girls are so cute when you talk like that." We just wanted to shake her and say "Heide, say something bad, just once." But she never did.

I brought Heide's picture to work with me, it's hanging right next to my computer. My co-workers ask me if that is my friend that just passed? After I say "Yes" I continue to tell them that I put Heide's picture up to remind me everyday how we should all treat each other. The way Heide did........

We will all miss our "Heide" and the world is a little darker without her beautiful glow here on earth. I know that God has a very special angel in heaven, her job is probably teaching all the other angels how to be saintly. Heide already knew how.

~Sabrina

Heide found a place in our hearts the first time Jim brought her to meet us. I was elated that he had found such a beautiful, loving, gentle young woman to love. Over the years, Heide's spirit and love of life pervaded the Hill family and her influence gentled even our patriarch, Tom. He couldn't do enough for Heide and loved to tease her. Jim's brother and sister and their families loved to spend time with Heide and Jim and the girls. These family outings will continue as we keep Jim and the girls close to us. Our life without Heide would have been less joyous indeed. Her love of family was perhaps her greatest gift to us. We love her and will miss her forever.

Jane and Tom Hill

My Loving Wife

As I read the posting I smile and cry, even I am amazed at the amount this woman had to give. I truly believe we are all better people for knowing her, I know I am. I thought I could write something but I was wrong I will say that your words touch my heart and inspire me. Soon I will have the kids read these great stories about their mother.
A truly lucky man,
Heide's loving husband,
JIM

Thank You

Words really fail me when I try to come up with something to share about that AMAZING woman, Heide Hill. Integrity, respect and grace all come to mind.

Our daughter Sophie was so fortunate to have her as a teacher for 1st and 2nd grades. We felt so fortunate that she could experience the nurturing "nest" of "Clifford's Tree House" for two years. As someone said at her memorial service yesterday, Heide WAS like a MOTHER to everyone, and mother in the most ideal sense.

Young and old alike, she always made everyone feel like they were so special to her and that she was so glad to see them! She was CONSISTENTLY upbeat and friendly -- nothing false about her. I always got a "warm" feeling from being in her presence.

Heide, we will ALL miss your beautiful smile and glow. We selfishly want you to stay here on earth with us, as we go through this sometimes difficult journey of life.

Until we meet again in heaven, dear lady, all our best.

The Senarath Family (Barb, Nihal, Avanti, Sophie, Summer & Dylan)

Heide was my daughter, Laura’s, 1 & 2 multi-age teacher back in 1993 and 1994. She was so positive, sweet and kind – Laura loved her! We’ve seen her often as my son, Steven, moved through Rock Creek Elementary as well, although he didn’t have Heide for a teacher. We have the sweetest picture of Heide and Laura at Africa Day that I treasure. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family and our thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Jenny Bloom

please email me at cmatsuo@aol.comif you would like to add any thoughts

I am a mother of a freshman (Jordan) at the University of Oregon who was blessed enough to have Heide Hill touch her life in 1st and 2nd grade. When Jordan was going into second grade I remember in the summer when she was waiting to find out which class she had been assigned to ... she was hoping and praying that it was Mrs. Hill again because she loved her soo much. When Heide was pregnant with her first child she asked me one day if I would mind if she named her unborn daughter Jordan because she loved the name after having my Jordan in her class. My Jordan was so excited over that. After Heide had her baby Jordan she gave our Jordan a wooden placket that had her name on it .. Jordan still has that placket in her room at the UO.

Heide was truly a blessing to this world ... when I would run into her at the store every now and then she always had time to sit and chat. She gave teaching 100% and I don't know one person that would ever have anything to say about her but the nicest comments. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Lisa Bauder
Mother of Jordan Bauder (freshman at UO) and Preston Bauder (freshman at Westview)

When I think back on Heide's battle with cancer these past few years, the
thing that comes to mind is courage. What a courageous woman Heide was...
never without that beaming smile. Even chemotherapy and radiation treatment
could not dim the twinkle in her eyes. I feel sad for all the children who
will never experience her amazing teaching skills but also blessed that my
son Timmy was in her class with Mrs. Young last year. I think her journey
has been, and will continue to be, a real-life example for her students,
peers, and friends of tremendous courage against all odds.

We will miss you, Heide...

carole stone maloney

I would just like to say that Heidi Hill is truly an inspiration to all. She always had a smile on her face. What a beautiful person inside and out. You can take away her hair, nails, and eyelashes, and still she glowed beautifully! Heidi left this world with dignity and grace.

I hope she is at peace. And know that she will be watching over her girls from above. She will be missed. She will always be loved. And never forgotten.

~ Sherri Heeney

The morning after

Today I have seen God's grace in action: as our Rock Creek School community awoke to the grief and sadness of the passing of Mrs. Hill, I saw teachers and staff doing what they do best. They were containing their pain, speaking clearly and caringly to students, giving hugs, being strong. What a tribute to Mrs. Hill, to know that her colleagues, her friends, in spite of their loss, find the will to put the kids first.

If you would like to add any posts to this page, please email me at cmatsuo@aol.com

Dear God,
Thank you for giving us Mrs. Hill. We are a better community because of her. Bless her family during this difficult time, and may they find strength in knowing she touched hundreds of children and made a difference.

Carrie Matsuo