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HILL -- Helen Beede Hill. Helen was born in Bogue, Kansas April 15, 1910 and died peacefully in Northampton, Massachusetts February 8, 2010. She was the daughter of Walter Dillard Chiles (1884-1966) and Eva May Ellis Chiles (1890-1985). During Helen's early years, the family moved to the tiny towns of Moffatt, Colorado and then Espanola, New Mexico, where Helen's father owned the towns' earliest banks. As a sign of the true length and breadth of Helen's life, her family was the first in Espanola to have an automobile. The family moved to Albuquerque for Helen and her sister to attend high school since there was not yet one in Espanola. After graduating from Albuquerque High School Helen was one of the few women who entered the University of New Mexico in 1928. In 1929 she married Ivan Beede (1908-1967) and they had their son Laurence Ivan (Larry) in 1933. The family enjoyed life in and around a much smaller Albuquerque, and exploring the beauty of northern New Mexico on fishing and camping trips. Helen was also a mean Bridge player and was unnaturally lucky in any raffle, game of chance, or horse race. Helen was sadly widowed after 38 years of marriage, but was then blessed to enjoy over 30 years of marriage to her second husband, John Hill (1907-2004), Ivan's best friend. The Hills enjoyed a busy social calendar and loved to entertain. Both of them enjoyed playing golf at an amateur competitive level, often at the Albuquerque Country Club where they were members of long standing. Helen didn't learn to play golf until she was 57, but ended up winning tournaments and playing into her 90's The Hills took special interest in their many world travels. They were able to see every continent except Antarctica. Helen had hoped to visit that continent with her great grandson, Ivan, for her 100th birthday. Helen was a long time and active member of the First Methodist Church of Albuquerque, Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. Following John's death she continued to live in their apartment at The Woodmark until 2008 when she moved to Northampton, Massachusetts to be closer to her family, much to their delight. She enjoyed her apartment, friends and the special care she received at Rockridge Retirement Community. The family is all grateful for the exemplary care she received in her last months at Linda Manor. Helen's life, all 99 years and ten months of it, provided her wonderful stories of the great adventures and changes that have shaped our world in the past century. Helen will be fondly remembered by generations of friends and extended family for her kindness, conviviality, love of travel, and her ability to always save room for dessert. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to either New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, PO Box 9, Belen, NM, 97002, or Shriner's Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607.
        Published on: Sun February 21, 2010