Delores Joan Roberts Hill
On Sunday, May 11, 2025, the Master of Heaven and Earth summoned a beloved and respected lady, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother to an extra special committee meeting in the sky. Never known to have failed a call to duty, Delores Joan Roberts Hill left us to sit at the right hand of God where, we suspect, she will be busy interceding for those she loved for so long.
Mrs. Hill was born in Helena, Montana on April 22, 1934, the third child of Antoinette Sofie Roberts and Otto Roberts. She grew up in Helena, attending Bryant School and Helena High School, graduating in 1952. She attended the University of Denver in Denver Colorado for one year.
Through the years, Mrs. Hill held a variety of positions including secretary for Montana Credit Unions League, secretary/office manager for Hurly Carey and Associates, Women’s & Society Editor of the Lewistown News Argus. She also worked for the Internal Revenue Service, the Montana State Fund and several sessions of Montana Legislature.
Delores was united in marriage to her best friend and soul mate, Howard Chapman Hill, on July 23, 1955. To this union were born three children, Steven Michael, Sharon Marie and Rieta Lynne.
She was a member of the Soroptimist International 53 years (joined in 1972), serving as President of the Lewistown Club in 1976-1977 and President of the Helena Club in 1983-1984. She served on and/or chaired numerous District 4 and Northwestern Region Committees. She headed the district committee responsible for planting numerous shrubs and trees on the capitol lawn in the late 1980’s. She also spearheaded the fund drive for $20,000 to restore Helena’s “Guardian of the Gulch”. The old fire tower in the early 1990s. Thereafter, the Fire Tower became her passion and for many years she chaired the Soroptimist Fire Tower committee which was instrumental in providing many improvements to the area over the years and the holiday lighting. She volunteered at St. Peter’s Gift Shop for 20 years.
Delores loved to cook and bake. She was affectionately known as the “cookie lady” by family and friends. She represented the State of Montana in a national chicken cook-off in 1977. She self-published a cookbook – “Dee’s Delectable Delicacies” in 1998 and had several recipes featured in “A Taste of Home” over the years.
She was named a Woman of Achievement by Montana Press Women in 1982 and by the National Federation of Press Women in 1983. In recognition of her volunteer work and service to the community, Mrs. Hill was named a J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award runner-up in 1990 and a Woman of Distinction by Soroptimist International of Helena in 1991.
Following their marriage in 1955, the Hill’s resided in Riverside, CA while Mr. Hill completed his tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force. They then resided in Denver, Colorado where Mr. Hill was engaged in the ice cream business. They returned to Montana in 1957 where Mr. Hill began a 30-year career with Mountain Bell, which took them to Lewistown, MT. for 7 years before their return to Helena in 1977.
Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her father in 1963, her mother in 1994, a four-year-old daughter, Sharon Marie in 1963, her brother, William Eugene in 1986; her husband, Howard Chapman “Chap”, in 1996, her son, Steven Michael in 2007, a sister-in-law, Hazel Roberts, in 2007, her sister, Marie Keim in 2008, and brother, Robert in 2021.
She is survived by her daughter, Rieta Hill and grandson Keith Stimpson, of Helena; , sister-in-law Sharon Roberts of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren, Amber and Brent Williams, of Spokane, WA; Kayla and Brady Fiorito, Dante’ and Karla Hill, of Puyallup, WA., Nathan and Emily Booth, of Fort Cavazos, Texas, and great grandchildren, Sophia and Isla Fiorito, Dante’ and Esmeralda Hill, Ayden, Chloe, Jaxon, Grayson and Teygan Booth, Isabelle Williams and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family prefers memorials to Soroptimist International of Helena. P.O. Box 1216 Helena, Montana 59624; Shodair Children’s Hospital or the Intermountain Children’s Home, or to a charity of your choice.
The family will begin receiving friends at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday May 21, 2025, with a funeral service celebrating her life to begin at 2:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral home 3750 N. Montana Avenue; Helena, Montana. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery Helena. A reception will be held in the social center of the funeral home immediately following the graveside service. Family has asked, “If one plans to attend the services of Delores to consider wearing a little pop of purple, Delores’ favorite color.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana
Helena, Montana
Burial
Immediately following the Celebration of Her Life
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Burial
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana
Helena, Montana
Burial
Immediately following the Celebration of Her Life
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Burial
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
Share
T Kunz says
So much love for all. Miss Dee, rest now.
Deanna Johnson says
A beautiful role model for me as a new member of Soroptimist International of Helena many years ago and will always be remembered well as a giving, warm, wonderful woman.
Connie Baehr says
What a special woman. She could always be counted on to lead Soroptimist District 4 and Northwestern Region committees of all sorts. And she did it all with style and professionalism.
Melissa Stoos says
Delores was an awesome woman, friend and leader. She will be fondly remembered by so many. Kind and caring soul! Rest in peace my friend.
Julie (Stinchfield) DeMars & Jim DeMars says
So sorry to hear of dear Dee’s passing. Sending sincere sympathy to family & friends. She sure is in good company “up there”. Rest in peace, Dee.
Marjorie MCNellis says
Delores was a classy lady who spoke softly but carried a big voice. She will be missed by so many.
Mary Lou Garrett says
May the saints in Heaven watch over this this beautiful lady, as she was a caring and sweet person.
Cheryl says
Dee was a kind and special woman who gave so much to Soroptimist and to the community. Seeing the lighted Fire Tower will always be a reminder of her strength and character.
Judy Palmquist says
Thinking of Delores conjures images of a warm smile, humble determination, coffee with a homemade snack.
she had an easy way about her as she went about her active life, seeing to it that she would leave this world a better, more caring place, while having a good time along the way. She and sister Marie joined our group cruise on the western Caribbean around 2002. Laughter, good food and excursions filled out days.A few years later, several members of the Young at Heart fitness class headed to Palm Springs for the Follies, and we did it all! She exercised with us well into her 80’s. Delores was always up for an adventure. Even a few months before she left us, I found her sitting and watching a cooking show. Each Thanksgiving, for many years, our family enjoys one of Delores’ cook book recipes….(no cook) cranberry/orange relish….the best. Delores, you were a role model to me; and I (and many others) wish you well on your new adventure and reunion with so many loved ones. Till we meet again! Judy Palmquist
Joanie Werner Mathis says
Rieta, what a grand mother you had all these years! You are blessed! Many years of travel and events with the Summot Club, Elite Travel and Diamond Destinations !
Beautiful woman, inside and out
Mary and Oliver Westover and Robert Taylor ZZZ says
Sorry for your loss. We will miss you love one. She was like mother to me and grandmother to my son.
HELEN G. FANDRICH says
Dear Rieta and family — I was so sorry to hear of Delores’ passing. We were long time friends with the same “6th Ward Helena” roots. And of course, thru Soroptimists for so many years. And — our husbands, Doug and Chap were good friends; I have great memories of boat rides, building the Soroptimist Concession Trailer, etc.
I was also friends with Marie and several of her daughters–having babysat them 70 years ago!
She was a wonderful woman – and a wonderful Mother and Grandmother! Helen Fandrich
Craig and Beth Long says
Extremely sorry for your loss. We have so many wonderful memories of being included in your family dinners and activities. You will be forever in our hearts 💕