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Helen Paige Hitt
12/18/1931 — 12/25/2011
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Mt. Jackson, VA
Helen Paige Hitt
Helen Paige Emswiller Hitt 18 December 1931 – 25 December 2011
My friend, my companion, and my wife of 60 years, and mother to our children, enjoyed celebrating her 80th birthday on December 18th with family and friends. The next day, she suffered several strokes and spent her remaining days at the hospital, passing away peacefully early on Christmas day, with me at her side. Paige had been recovering from two strokes she suffered in April.
She was born to Clarence W. Emswiller and Anna A. Coffman Emswiller and raised on the family farm in her beloved Shenandoah County, near Mt. Jackson, Virginia, with her half-sister Dorothy Moumaw. She began a lifelong love of playing piano while taking lessons for eight years and enjoyed playing in her home church, at school assemblies, and for Sunday school at Goodfellow AFB, TX.
During her junior year at James Madison College, she met Bill Hitt, a student teacher at Mt. Jackson High School. They were married August 17th, 1951, and Paige joined Bill to begin their 20 year Air Force career. She enjoyed their assignments in Ohio, Alaska, New Jersey, New York, Texas twice, South Dakota, and North Dakota. While in the Air Force, they were joined by two sons and then three daughters. The family continued to live in San Angelo, TX after Bill's Air Force retirement in 1971. Paige began studies at Angelo State University to fulfill a long-time goal of completing her bachelor's degree. When Bill took a job with DOE in Richland in 1977, she remained in San Angelo with the family to complete her classes. One of her proudest accomplishments was graduating with son Robin in 1978.
Upon arrival in Richland, Paige enjoyed helping to teach reading at Badger Mountain Elementary. She and Bill served on the Benton/Franklin Truancy Board from 1996 until her health forced her to stop in 2009, when they were recognized as volunteers of the year. Paige was a member of the Antiques Study Group, and Chapter DF, P.E.O. She and Bill particularly enjoyed hosting and then leading a Life Study Group and serving as ushers at Central United Protestant Church in Richland. She cherished the many lasting friendships these activities brought her.
Paige is survived by husband Bill, sons Billy II of Richland, and Robin Kathy of San Antonio; daughters Melanie Fletcher of Richland, Melissa Lloyd Stan of Kennewick, and Amanda LaRiviere Tom of Pasco; grandchildren Brian Hitt of Nashville, TN; Kenneth Fletcher of Moscow, Idaho; Paige Hitt of Goodfellow AFB, TX; Sarah Hitt of the USAF Academy; Kevin Hitt of Richland; Maegan and Alaena Fletcher of Richland; and Rebecca, Tyler, and Ryan Lloyd of Kennewick; and great-granddaughter Natalie Fletcher of Richland.
A memorial service will take place at Central United Protestant Church on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: SIGN Surgical Implant Generation Network 451 Hills St # B Richland, WA 99354-5502 509 371-1107
What a dear, sweet lady the world has lost. Just one facet, I am sure, of a many faceted person but I always think of quilts when I think of Paige. My thoughts and prayers are with Bill and family.
We’re so sorry for the Hitt’s family loss. I always think of that family and ours as part of the “pioneers of the Hills West neighborhood” and remember lovely visits with Paige when she would come with her Avon products…a lovely, sincere lady. Warm best to the family. Brenda
Bill Hitt and family – I am sorry to hear that you lost your wife and mother. The obituary said it all and how much love there is in the family. God’s Blessings to all the family.
Our hearts are broken. Bill and Paige have been wonderful neighbors and friends many years. As many of you know Bill volunteered with Michael for 10 years every Sat. am and if he was out of town arranged for a substitute. We will never be able to thank him enough. Paige collected and made quilts for years. We also know in our broken hearts that Paige is with Jesus and we will all see her and Michael someday. Love Roger, Kathy, Shawn, Chris.
My condolences to the family, and especially husband, of Helen Paige Hitt. I didn’t know Helen – but was so touched by her obituary. She sounds like such a lovely, lovely person – and the 60 yr marriage also sounded so grand. To start it out with — ‘I lost my friend, companion and wife of 60 years’ was so touching. Her’s was a life well lived.
Bill,
We’re sorry to hear of your loss, you will be in our prayers.
Your Friend,
Larry
Dear Bill and Family,
I was so happy to have talked with Paige three days before her 80th birthday. She was very happy and felt so b
lessed to have Bill and family in her life.
Love, Bobbie
wearesorrytohearofyourloss
Helen was an amazing person, She lead by example what it was like to be a Christian. She truly was an angel. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. May god wrap all of you in his arms at this difficult time. Love Mary Davidson Coates and Family
I am sorry for the loss of your loving wife and mother. I have many fond memories of Paige and the wonderful woman she was. She is on my mind as you her family are. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. With sympothy and love, Sincerely, Linda Sparling
Mr. and Mrs. Hitt have been friends and patients for many years. She had a special way of showing concern for the needs of others both locally and globally.Her life was spent teaching and serving others. We shall miss her.
Lew Zirkle, MD
I am so sorry to see paige has passed.. she was so much help on emswiller genealogy. years ago.. she certainly was a sweetie.
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Helen Paige Hitt