Cover photo for Dorothy S. Hill's Obituary
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1929 Dorothy 2021

Dorothy S. Hill

November 11, 1929 — July 16, 2021

Dorothy Ruth (Safley) Hill passed away on July 16, 2021 at her home in Missoula, Montana. She was born on November 11, 1929 in Victor, Montana, the youngest child of George Robert and Grace Sophie (Hay) Safley. She always said that her siblings, Robert Hay Safley, Kathryn Jeanne (Safley) McBride, and Bruce Arthur Safley, were the ones who named her and they all called her “Dorth.” Dorothy was raised in Victor and shared vivid memories of swimming in the Bitterroot River, playing tennis and helping her Dad, the pharmacist at his store, Safley Drug.

Dorothy met Lewis B. Hill, from Drummond, Montana during high school and they corresponded for five years while they each attended college and Lewis served in the army before they married on December 18, 1948 in Phoenix, AZ. They wanted to return to Montana to raise a family, so in 1950 they purchased a ranch southwest of Drummond where their three children, Luanne, Janet, and Scott grew up. Dorothy worked the cattle ranch with Lewey.

Dorothy volunteered to raise money for many charitable causes in the Drummond community and was a life-long member of the Order of Eastern Star. She bowled in a weekly league for years and played bridge with a group of women for decades. She was a fun friend with a great sense of humor. She loved watching game shows, playing games and was a voracious reader of fiction. Dorothy supported all of her children in their school events and extracurricular activities. She was an excellent cook, baker and housekeeper. After school snacks were freshly baked cookies, pies, and cakes. There was never a person who dropped by who was not offered a meal and a piece of her delicious homemade pie! Most importantly she loved being a Mom and a Grandma. She was a favorite Aunt.

After fifty-six years of living and working on the ranch, Dorothy and Lewey sold it and moved to Missoula. In March of 2018, Dorothy chose to be baptized and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which she told others brought her peace and happiness. During these past two years both Dorothy and Lewey benefitted from the loving care and in-home assistance provided by their son, Scott.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Lewis Hill, who passed recently, and her parents and siblings.

Dorothy is survived by her three children: Luanne Hill Ellis, Janet Hill Laney (Cliff), and Scott Lewis Hill; six grandchildren: Jordan Ellis, Chelsea Ellis (Andy), Lane Tidwell (Heather), Kyle Tidwell (Becca), Lindsay Hill, Shelby Hill; two great-grandchildren: Lane’s daughter, Bailee Mae Moore and Lindsay’s son, Cooper Scott Hill; two step granddaughters: Becky Dilworth (Spencer) and Melissa Joy; four step great-grandchildren: Heber and Zachary Dilworth, Ian and Julia Kiser; and many nieces and nephews.

A private ceremony will be held and interment with her husband, Lewey, will be at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula, Montana.
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