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MARY ELIZABETH PRYOR HILL November 1915 - March 2, 2006 Born Mary Pryor in Council Bluffs, Iowa of Lucius Pryor and Grace Klopp Pryor, she died Thursday morning at the home of her son, Jim Hill in Rio Rancho, NM. Though preceded in death by her husband, James A Hill, she was surrounded by their three children; Jim Hill, Johanna Smethurst of Afton, VA and Doug Hill of Etna, N.H; as well as two grandchildren, Kathy Bell of Manitou Springs, CO and Jay Smethurst of Winter Park, F.L. Mary, with her son Jim, are known locally as regulars of the Bosque Trail between Alameda and Montano. When a massive stroke at the age of 79 ended her own hiking, tennis and golf playing days, Jim began taking her out onto the beautiful paved path through the Bosque. Jim taped extensions to the handles of Mary's wheelchair to allow for a longer stride. From then on in every season, he ran eight miles a day. She smiled and waved. Runners, walkers, skaters, bikers called greetings "Morning Mary" or when she had been off to Virginia or Colorado or California, "Where have you been, Mary, we've missed you." Jim has replaced the wheels on that wheelchair. But the chair itself has totaled a distance of 13,000 miles. Mary's salient characteristic has always been to put herself into the moment, to savor life. She's loved family, friends and enjoyed travel, a mountain view, the Range Caf, Cannelloni on Capri, a Klong trip in Bangkok, The Great Wall of China, the predawn beauty of the Balloon Fiesta of Albuquerque. Mary and her husband Jim raised their own family in Texas, Naples, Italy and Virginia. When the nest was empty they moved on to two years in Singapore and two more in Bangkok, Thailand. When he retired as a petroleum engineer with the U.S. Government, they came looking for new adventures in New Mexico. Family came to visit, fell under the spell of New Mexico and returned to live. That was true of their son Jim. Mary's sister, Ging Christensen, Bobbie Gaus and husband, Bob, her brother, John Pryor and his wife, Nancy, Ging's daughter the "now local" artist and teacher Deborah Christensen Secor and family. Wherever she lived, Mary was the planner, the heart of the action. She read guide books and newspapers, found the campsites and restaurants, learned the history and collected stories. It was a blessedly brief final illness that took her from us. In spite of a tight chest and labored breathing, Mary was connected, smiling. Her eyes sparkled at family and friends who came to visit. She was delighted when, with the help of Hospice, we brought her home. We were at her bedside, holding her hand, stroking her soft cheek, telling many stories. Her room filled with love for this tiny, splendid woman. There were tears, hugs and laughter. The labored breathing softened and slowed, very quietly so as not to disturb the joy her life had brought, she took her leave. Mary is survived by her three children, Jim Hill, Johanna Hill Smethurst and Bob and their three children, Kathy and Brooke Bell, David Smethurst, Jay and Kristen Smethurst; Doug Hill and his wife, Ingrid Curtis and their daughters, Aurora and Karin Curtis-Hill; two great grandchildren Jack and Molly Bell. Also surviving her are her sisters, Ging Christensen and Bobbie Gaus. Cremation is taking place and private services will be held. Sunrise Funeral Options 2400 Southern Blvd. Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-891-9192
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