Obituaries
Cathryn Mershon Hill, 81
Cathryn Mershon Hill, 81, died unexpectedly at home in Lancaster on Sunday, March 16, 2008.
She was married to Dudley Jeffries Hill, Jr. for fifty-four years until his death in 2004. She enjoyed flying with her husband and working with him for thirty-four years at Hill Aviation, Inc., Lancaster Airport. During this time, she served as office manager, secretary/treasurer, and vice president from 1956. Upon her husband’s retirement in 1984, she became president serving until the close business in 1990.
Cathryn attended the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Michigan from 1944 to 1947 and was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. She moved to Silver Spring, MD where she continued her art education for three years at the Corcoran Gallery School of Fine Arts. She also created the Mershon Color Studio producing hand colored photographs for sales kits for the cemetery industry nation-wide.
Moving to Lancaster in 1954, she continued her love of art by creating the Marvie Bag,a widely sold hand painted box pocketbook. She was a member of the Lancaster Power Squadron, and enjoyed serving as a volunteer on the boards of the Iris Club, the Lancaster Aero Club, Lancaster Day Nursery, Conestoga Memorial Park Cemetery, and the Conestoga Emergency Burial Fund. Her greatest joys were her family, flying with her husband, boating on the Chesapeake, and painting.
Born in Cleveland, OH, on March 17, 1926, she was the daughter of William Shopbell and Mary Steinmetz Mershon. Her brother, Allison Perrine Mershon, III in 1998, predeceased her. Two daughters survive her, Cathryn Hill Ketterman, wife of Scott Ketterman, Lititz; Kristin Hill Haberle, wife of Craig Haberle, Lancaster; a granddaughter, Lauren Hill Ketterman, Philadelphia; Loretta Hill Wilson, sister-in-law, Bethesda, MD; five nieces and four nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made on her behalf to the Iris Club or another charity of choice.
Services will be held at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held prior to service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
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Cathryn Hill Ketterman and Kristin Hill Haberle
Our condolences and sympathy are offered at this time of sorrow
Frank and Bertie Miller, Neighbors
Cathryn and Dudley Hill were two of my favorite general aviation people. I enjoyed their sense of humor and have happy memories of having been hangered with them for several years during the 80’s
Barry Penchansky MD
Dear Family of Cathryn Hill,
Our condolences on the loss of your Mother, Cathryn. David and I enjoyed knowing both your parents for many years as customers of ours at the former Ashby’s Restaurant. They were faithful over the years.
Carole and David Ashby
My association was, strongly, with Dudley, as we would share lunch at the old Airport Restaurant, when Linda Elliot ran the place and Alta was the short order cook. Some of us formed kind of a club. When Dudley didn’t want to join the "pilots’ group, we would share lunch. My company, PrecisionForm, Inc. made rivets for Boeing and other aerospace companies. Dudley would regale me with stories of his childhood love for planes, etc. As he tired and his hands became less usable, I would visit their house, at which point I got to know Cathryn better. Mary Ellen and I still retain a couple of the hand painted notes she sent. Sadly, we will be away from Lancaster this weekend. Consequently, I will not be able to pay my respects to you folks. Both Dudley and Cathryn were strong characters, opinionated and loving. I was lucky to share with them and in their presence. This is a poor excuse for a "face to face;" but the best available communication vehicle.
Regards!
Bill Kopetz
Dear Craig & Kris,
My prayers are with you and your family. May God’s peace comfort you.
Love,
darlene adams
