Helen Hill, 89

Helen Hill, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and cherished friend, entered into eternal rest Sept. 28, 2025, at the age of 89.

She was born Jan. 27, 1936, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to Dina and Roy Seaman, and lived her entire life rooted in the love of family, faith, and community.

Helen’s love story with her husband, Merle, began in high school when Merle, with his signature charm, told her he would take her to the dance — but only if she agreed to go steady with him. That bold declaration led to a storybook marriage that began Oct. 16, 1954.

For more than 54 years, they built a life together in Paradise Valley until Merle’s passing Sept. 28, 2009. Sixteen years later, to the very day, and just 30 to 40 minutes after the time Merle passed, Helen followed him home. Always one to run a little late, her family can only imagine Merle smiling and saying, “Come on, Helen — you’re late!” It was fitting that she left this earth just in time to celebrate Merle’s heavenly birthday Sept. 29.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; her parents, Dina and Roy Seaman; her sisters, Ruth, Phyllis, and Lynda; and her daughter-in-law, Nancy Hill. She is survived by her eight children, Mike (Annette), Paul (Jane), Steve (Chrissie), Nick, Ted (Danette), Gerianne (John), Chrissy, and Bart (Kelsy), along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren (11), great-grandchildren (20), and, most recently, her first great-great-grandchild. Each of them knew they were her “favorite” — just ask any one of them.

Described by many as “an angel on earth,” Helen embodied the very qualities of heaven itself:

• Radiance: Her eyes shone with the unmistakable touch of God’s presence.

• Love: She expressed it through her hugs, sweet phone calls, birthday cards, and tender kisses.

• Kindness: She always put others first, never speaking a harsh word about anyone.

• Humility: Modest and down-to-earth, she lived not for herself, but for her family and friends.

Her faith was the bedrock of her life — solid as concrete. Helen was constantly on the prayer chain, cooking for funerals, helping with church events, and gathering cases of canned goods and turkeys for the food bank. She prayed tirelessly for her family, even in her final days. When her great-granddaughter, Sadie, prayed the Rosary beside her just days before her passing, Helen raised her fingers in a simple “OK” sign — one last gesture of faith and peace.

Helen enjoyed the simple joys of life: time with family and friends, country living, flannel shirts, Scrabble games, weenie roasts over roaring fires (with her hot dogs always blackened), and her signature burnt toast and weak coffee. She also loved gardening, though the results were often more comical than bountiful. Her cucumbers sometimes looked like beans, her corn never quite took off, and other vegetables were nearly unrecognizable. But she kept at it with humor and determination. One memorable afternoon, while shoveling manure from the back of a truck (in her late 80s) to fertilize her garden, she took a tumble that cut her leg badly enough to require a trip to the doctor. Her family still laughs about how she managed to turn gardening into a full-contact sport. Although she embodied grace, she certainly wasn’t always graceful!  Bonners Ferry knew her as a woman of kindness and grace, but her family was blessed to know her as Mom, Grandma, Auntie, and Friend.

On Sept. 28, the world lost one of its gentlest souls, but heaven gained a radiant angel. Job well done, Mom. We will see you again in our heavenly kingdom.  

Thanks to all of our friends and family for your support and love. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Hospice of North Idaho at hospiceofnorthidaho.org or to St. Ann’s Catholic Church at stannbonnersferry.org. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.

The funeral is scheduled at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, with the Rosary at 11:30 a.m. and Mass at noon.