Karen Sue Hills

Karen Sue (Kirchoff) Hills, 85, of Plattsburgh, passed away on October 10, 2024 at CVPH. She was born in Hammond, Indiana on February 18, 1939, the only daughter of Grace Priscilla (Morris) and Morris Kirchoff. Karen grew up in Cayuga, Indiana and graduated from Cayuga High School. She was an accomplished pianist at an early age, competing in State competitions and teaching piano while in high school. She matriculated to Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, where she majored in Music with an interest in Nursing. She met Jack Hills while taking a music appreciation class in college. After their marriage on 14 February 1960, Karen dedicated her time to family as a homemaker and raising their three children, Michelle, James, and Jackie, through multiple locations during Jack’s service in the Air Force. In the mid 1980s, she began as a Teacher at Notré Dame Elementary School (Our Lady of Victory Academy) in Plattsburgh where she taught English, Music, Library Skills, and directed the school chorus. She also was the OLV Church Organist and Choir Director for several years. She retired from Notré Dame Elementary School (Our Lady of Victory Academy) in the late 1990s and continued playing for the church, as well as at wedding and funerals in the community until 2010. Later in life, Karen had an opportunity to spend an abundance of time with her grandson, Danilo, attending his sporting events and assisting with his studies. She also took great pleasure from the regular holiday visits by her grandson, Curtis Hills. Further, she was an active participant at Our Lady of Victory and St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Churches in Plattsburgh, as a founding member and President of the Knights of Columbus Council #13127 Ladies’ Auxiliary and an active member of Gabriel Project among other charitable pursuits. Karen had numerous interests throughout her life, which included playing the piano and recorder, reading literature, crocheting, square dancing, and watching basketball and baseball games with Jack. She also enjoyed being quiet in Nature, admiring the flower gardens Jack planted around their home. In her final years, she developed a joy for growing various houseplants. Karen is survived by her two daughters, Michelle Hills and Jacqueline “Jackie” Hills, one son, James (Tina Miller) Hills, two grandsons, Danilo Nocher and Curtis Hills, one niece, Angela “Angie” Walls, two nephews, Shane and Adam Kirchoff, several close friends, and her beloved cat, Ziva. Karen was predeceased by her husband, Jackie “Jack” E. Hills, her maternal grandmother, Olivia (Johnson) Morris, her parents, Morris and Grace (Morris) Kirchoff, her younger brother Michael “Mike” Kirchoff, her maternal uncles Rev. Earl Morris, Elead Morris, John Morris, her maternal aunt Flora (Morris) Metzger, and many extended family members and close friends. Karen was a stoic military wife, and devoted mother and “Grammy.” She was a compassionate friend to those who sought good conversation and respite from life’s daily challenges. She offered witty viewpoints, a wealth of knowledge, an appreciation for music and the arts, and often turned her kind attention to people in need as part of her spiritual charism. We trust she was warmly welcomed by her husband of 63 years, Jack, and all the angels and saints in Heaven, on the day of her passing from this world. She is already greatly missed. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 18, 2024, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be in Saratoga National Cemetery with Jackie E. Hills (USAF Capt. Ret.) at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to either Arbor Day Foundation or Focus on Ferals (focusonferalstoday.com). Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street in Plattsburgh, (518) 561-3980. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.