Dorothy Jane Hill

Dorothy Jane (Holl) Hill, 98, of Lower Alsace Township, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in the arms of her children at Phoebe Berks Village where she happily resided for 13 years. Dorothy was truly one of a kind. Her outgoing nature, quick wit, humility and compassion for others combined to create her unique and friendly disposition – she will be remembered for her unrivaled kindness and thoughtfulness. 

She was born in Reading on September 15, 1927, to Walter and Kathryn (Cassel) Holl. She attended grade school in West Reading and Newmanstown High School in Millbach, Lebanon County.  She was a 1945 graduate of Wyomissing High School and a 1949 graduate of Albright College, where she earned her B.S. in Education and met the love of her life, Neil C. Hill, during freshman orientation. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage prior to Neil’s death in 2010.

Dorothy was a high school English teacher. She began her 25-year career at Penn Bernville High School in 1949, until a pause to raise her family.  She then continued briefly at Wyomissing High School before her longest tenure at Daniel Boone High School from 1970-1991. In retirement she adored teaching English as a second language to a group of women known as Motivated Moms. A remarkable number of colleagues and students have remained close and expressed appreciation to her as a friend, influential teacher and role model. She proudly served as President of the American Association of University Women from 1963-65 and dedicated many hours to its Book Bonanza. She was elected to membership in Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an honorary sorority for outstanding women educators, in 1986.

She was actively involved in Albright Alumni events, church, and community affairs. She was a cub scout den mother, served as President of her community Crime Watch, was a member of Friends of the Reading Berks Library, and co-chaired the Peddler’s Shop at Phoebe Berks. Dorothy had a devout faith and was a lifelong member of Atonement Lutheran Church. She served as President of Women of Atonement, was a member of the Church Council, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and relished her favorite role as New Member Coordinator. Many dear friends also served with her in Church Women United.

She enjoyed gardening, traveling, puzzles, dessert, good books, watching golf, telling jokes, cheering on the Nittany Lions and the beach—especially annual family vacations to Sea Isle City, NJ. “Butterfly” was her nickname given by Neil during their dating years, thus began one of her greatest lifetime passions. As a very social butterfly, her most enjoyable activities took advantage of her friendliness: welcoming new members at church and mentoring new residents at Phoebe Berks Village. She cherished her friends and those closest to her heart.  She cared deeply for and worked hard at maintaining relationships from all the chapters of her long and wonderful life.

Her greatest joy was her family. Her legacy as a strong and loving matriarch will live on for many generations. She will be deeply missed and forever loved by her three surviving children: Margaret, wife of Timothy Hoover of Hilton Head, SC; Curtis, husband of Stephanie Hill, Lower Alsace Township; and Trish, wife of Patrick Boyer, Scottsdale, AZ. Also surviving are six beloved grandchildren: Benjamin and Katelyn Hoover, Matthew Hill, Kevin Diamond, Jamie Greene, and Corinne Wilson; and nine treasured great-grandchildren: Charles, Henry, Caroline, Logan, Connor, Hamilton, Tucker, Wade, Ruby, Taryn, and Ashlyn. Extended family includes three nieces, one nephew, great nieces, great nephews, and numerous cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her daughter Kathryn H. DeTurck, VMD, PhD, in 2005; daughter Christine M. Diamond in 2019; brother Richard M. Holl in 2013; and sister-in-law Marianne Holl in 2022.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held Friday January 23, 2026, at 11am in Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610, with luncheon to follow in Lundin Hall. Friends and relatives are invited to call from 9:30-11am in the church. Burial will be private in Fairview Cemetery, Shillington. 

In lieu of flowers, Dorothy wished that memorial contributions be made to the Atonement Mission Endowment Fund via https://atonementwyo.org.