PATRICIA “Pat” HILL

Pat Hill, beloved community member of Kaneville, IL, and owner of Hill’s Country Store, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior, early Sunday morning, January 17, 2021. Pat fought a fierce battle with cancer that may have broken her body, but never touched her strong and determined spirit which lives on in Heaven and in the hearts of all who loved her. 

She was born February 20, 1964, in Naperville, IL, to proud and loving parents, Leonard and Loretta (Schumacher) Saul. As the seventh of eight children, she was their baby girl. 

Pat grew in up the Lisle area and attended local schools. She graduated from Downer’s Grove North High School with the class of 1982.

She continued her education at College of DuPage. She became a professional model, enjoyed working trade shows, conventions and even for JC Penny and Revlon. She then worked in the hotel industry at the Oakbrook Marriot where she met her future husband, Clifford Hill. They were united in marriage and were blessed with two children, Alexa and Tyler. Pat then worked for her brother-in-law as an executive assistant for Superior Maintenance for many years.

In 1995, the family moved from West Chicago, IL to Kaneville where she fell in love with the community and later became a lunchroom monitor for Blackberry Creek Elementary School and a teacher’s aide at KCCC. Her rapport with the students was immediate and long lasting. Pat began working for Mary Nicely at “The Purple Store” in Kaneville, later purchasing it in 2007, christening it “Hill’s Country Store”. Her tenure is storied and well documented, and her passion for her community unmatched.

Pat was a member of the Elburn Lions Club, and past president and trustee on the Kaneville Village Board. She also was a member of the Kaneville Cemetery Board. Pat was instrumental in establishing and continuing the tradition of the annual Kaneville Fest. In addition, she a was proud member of the Elburn Chamber of Commerce and contributor to many charitable foundations such as Cayce’s Charities, Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, C.I.A.C.O., Toys for Tots and VNA.

Pat was a strong incredible woman, physically, mentally and spiritually. She lit up a room with her smile and mere presence. Calling her a “people person” does not begin to describe her. If you met her once, she made you feel like you were one of the family either with her grill outs, movie nights or the Halloween costume parties with everything a carnival would have. 

Pat’s time at the store was filled with thousands of happy memories not only for her but for all who walked through her door. The neighborhood kids became her extended family, and she was first in line to help with donations of food, time, or heart. She was always happy and willing to give of herself to anyone in need. She never let a Birthday or holiday go by, without celebrating or giving a gift. She was the life of the party and she bought the party no matter where she went always bringing food, drinks and conversation. She made people always feel welcome and constantly had a smile on her face. She truly cared about her community and put her heart and soul into absolutely everything she did. Pat loved to travel. Hawaii was her dream destination. She was able to go twice with Alexa thanks to her BFF Deb and they created memories that would last a lifetime. The memories made during various “adventures” including many concerts, shopping and walking the beach in Saugatuck, MI to always stopping for ice cream at every ice cream shop she could find to enjoy her favorite treat were precious to her. Pat also spent summer weekends at the cabin on Castle Rock Lake in Wisconsin and surrounded herself with laughter, love and family. When she wasn’t busy helping others, which was rare, Pat loved to spend time in her flower garden or swim in her pool and no one enjoyed a backyard bonfire or a good “poker” stick more than Pat. All these memories and more radiated with warmth and sunshine that could be felt at each meeting. She will never be forgotten as she will live on in the hearts of so many people. The world is truly poorer for her absence. 

She now leaves her children: Alexa Hill and Tyler Hill; her husband Clifford Hill; her mother, Lorretta Saul; seven siblings: Mary (Rob) Wold, twin sisters, Jane and Jean  Saul, Donna (Kent) Hulett, Karen Keene, Sue (Paul) Watters and Bob Saul; many nieces, nephews, cousins and truly a community full of friends that will never forget her. 

She now joins her father, Leonard Saul, many aunts and uncles, especially her uncle Clare and aunt Mary Saul as well as her aunt Marie Schumacher.

Visitation will span two days and will be open to ten persons at a time, starting from 1-5 p.m., Saturday, January 23, 2021, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, January 24, both at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A Mass to celebrate her faith will be held at St. Gall Catholic Church, in Elburn, Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at 11 a.m.  As seating will be limited, we ask that you reserve your seating by going to www.stgall.com, or by calling the church at 630-365-6030. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date. The family is planning on hosting a community gathering where everyone will be able to attend during the summer. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Pat’s name. Checks may be made to the “Patricia M. Hill Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

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