Nancy Karen (Waters) Hill

Nancy Karen Hill 1934-2020

Nancy Karen Hill, 86, of Rancho Murieta, CA passed away from natural causes at home surrounded by her loving family on June 27, 2020. Nancy never met a stranger and was genuinely interested in others life stories. She was very engaging, her heart was full of compassion and she loved all animals large and small. Nancy was a remarkably beautiful soul, she will be greatly missed. 

Nancy Karen Waters was born May 28, 1934 in Sacramento to Kathryn Otlo and Otha Thad Harvey. She was raised with love by her mother and her two aunts, Rose McCauley O'Connor and Jule Thomas. Nancy attended Sacramento High, graduating in 1953. At age 17, Nancy married Kenneth Pugh of Sacramento, they were married for 15 years and had three children. Nancy was a loving mother and said her greatest joy was her children. She loved family above all else.

Nancy married Jess Richard "Dick" Hill in 1968. It as a whirlwind romance, and they blended their two families. Nancy played an active role in her husband's career, hosting parties and events for his managers and agents at conventions in the  U.S. and around the world.

From 1970-1974 the family lived in Seattle, Washington where they enjoyed discovering the Pacific Northwest and especially sailing the San Juan Islands in their 36' Columbia sailboat. The family often reminisced that those were magical times. 

Her home was always open to her children's friends and many came to love her as a second mother. She listened to them and encouraged their pursuits, always with an open heart. 

After retiring to Rancho Murieta, CA in 1988 Nancy operated a space at The Antique Plaza for ten plus years which combined her love of history, antiques and decorating.

Nancy was very spiritual and open to many ideas of the afterlife, when her time would come she looked forward to discovering a new world. While in hospice care her daughters asked her to send a sign to them after she passed so they knew she made a smooth transition.  Fifteen minutes after passing in her home her daughters opened the back door to the deck and a hummingbird flew in the house and circled the kitchen, it then landed on the door handle just inches from her daughters and bobbed it's head, seemingly saying, "I am OK". 

Two weeks after her death, her husband of 52 years, Jess Hill, followed her. He very much wanted to hold her hand on their next adventure together. They enjoyed full lives filled with love. 

Nancy is survived by her children Rod (Mabel) Cambridge, Karen (Mike) Bell, Lori Harrison, her 2 step-daughters Deborah (Patrick) Sullivan and Laura Hill, her cousin, Dennis (Judy) McCauley and her lifelong, beloved, best friend Patricia Shirley.

Jess and Nancy's ashes have been scattered together at a location they both chose and loved.

Please consider a donation to your local hospice or an animal rescue in honor of Nancy.