HILL, Nell Savory

Hill, Nell Savoy Nell Savoy Hill, 86, a retired teacher and World War II veteran, died in her Phoenix home on December 4, 2003. She was born at her grandmother's house in Phoenix. After graduating as Valedictorian from Tolleson High School, she worked her way through Arizona State Teachers College, graduated in 1939 and later earned a Masters Degree from A.S.U. in 1969. Nell was among the first women from Arizona to enlist in the Navy Waves in 1942. She was stationed in San Francisco, commissioned in 1943, and then stationed in Washington, D.C. After separating from the Navy, Nell returned to Phoenix and took a job as a secretary in a law firm. She married one of the partners, George M. Hill, and they spent 54 years together until his death in 2001. Nell taught school in the Tolleson, Murphy and Scottsdale school districts before retiring in 1979. She is survived by her son, David O. Hill, daughter, Peggy Hill Ensign, a son-in-law, four grandsons, a sister and seventeen nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers the family requests your prayers. Published in the Arizona Republic on 12/9/2003.