Shirley Ann Hill

Shirley A. Hill of Kalamazoo, passed away Thursday December 10, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice, with her children at her side. Shirley was born September 10, 1931 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Stephen and Louise (Kapka) Kondratek. Shirley was the oldest of 4 children and last surviving sibling. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School Shirley went to Western Michigan University and also worked several years for Truesdale Funeral Home as an Administrative Assistant. She supported her husband for over 40 years who was in sales at the Hillyard Chemical Company. Shirley was a previous owner of Kalamazoo Sanitary Supply now KSS Enterprises along with her husband, son Tom and daughter Terry. Shirley was devoted to her four children and she taught them how important it was to care for those who are in need and embrace those with disabilities, as her son Stephen was born with Down Syndrome. She ensured that Stephen was included in everything and he became the highlight of her and her family’s lives. Shirley was always attentive to what was happening in the world, sharp on history, always a great source of knowledge on almost any topic and she always had Fox News on the TV and loved listening to Rush Limbaugh. She loved her grandchildren and great grand-children and cherished all the visits and phone calls to hear what was new with them. She was a great conversationalist and had a great sense of humor. She was always teaching us in direct and subtle ways. Shirley and Tom were able to travel to many places over the years. One of the highlights was traveling to Dublin, Ireland to attend the International Special Olympics to watch her son Stephen compete in weight lifting. Shirley loved sports and was an avid Notre Dame and Lions fan. Shirley was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Monica Catholic Church and St. Basil Catholic Church in South Haven, Michigan. She was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, spent summers in South Haven and in their retirement years Shirley and Tom spent winters in Anna Maria Island, Florida. On June 9, 1956 in Kalamazoo Shirley was united in marriage to Thomas M. Hill, Sr who preceded her in death on December 8, 2017. Also preceding her in death was a son, Stephen Hill; brother, Robert Kondratek; two sisters, Eileen McNee, Jacqueline Bryant. Surviving are three children, Holly (Greg) Daggett, Tom (Pat) Hill, Terry (Bill) Dawson; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews. A Rosary will be recited 10:30 am Saturday December 19, 2020 at St. Monica Catholic Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated following at 11 am. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Residential Opportunities Inc. (ROI), St. Monica Church, or Special Olympics Southwest Region. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home, Kalamazoo. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net