Obituary: Darlena “Dee” May Hill, 84, The Dalles

Darlena “Dee” May Hill, born on April 8, 1940, to Dorothy and Nyle Hill and a lifetime resident of The Dalles, OR passed away on June 17, 2024, with her family by her side.  Dee attended The Dalles High School where she met Darrell Hill, who became her sweetheart and lifelong partner.  The two began their lives as a married couple on June 15, 1958.  As they started their love story, everyone who met Dee knew that she had married her best friend as they completed each other. 

Over the years of service to the community of the City of The Dalles and Wasco County, Dee was often in the front seat of Darrell’s car tossing candy out to children in parades.  To say the two were inseparable would be an understatement.  As Darrell retired they started to travel around the United States exploring genealogy and fulfilling their love of adventure.  Dee and Darrell also loved to take pictures of community events, travels, family, and friends. 

The Hill family expanded with daughters DeAnna Hill and Debbie Hill (Loomis).  As a young family, the Hill’s liked to go camping.  Dee loved traveling the world with her daughters and visiting grandchildren.   Dee and Darrell also opened their home to many children and youth by serving as foster parents for the State child welfare system and youth with disabilities.  They served as house parents for the Community Attention Home before the closing in 2005.

Dee worked in office settings as an Office Manager, bookkeeper, and personnel manager for several businesses and the City of The Dalles.  She was a dedicated public employee and was the first female employee at the city treatment plant.  Dee was always blazing a trail for others. 

Dee served on The Dalles City Council and was Darrell’s right hand when he ran and was elected Wasco County Sheriff.  As Dee states, this cannot just be about her as for over 58 years they were life partners and together they loved and supported each other.

Dee is survived by her daughter DeAnna Hill (Mark), of Anchorage, AK, daughter Debbie Loomis (Brady), Gig Harbor, WA, two sisters, Donna Smith (Richard), and Loretta Commander (Jerry), one brother, Joe Hill, four grandchildren, Britney Bass (Matt), Garrett Loomis (Trish), Greyson Loomis (Meressa), Grant Loomis (Amber), and eight great-grandchildren.  Dee is preceded in death by her husband Darrell Hill, parents, and three brothers.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Heart of Hospice.