Sharon Hill

Hill, Sharon Lee (née Killian), also known as Sharon Lee Conlen, age 73, passed away on Nov. 14, 2022 as a result of cancer. Sharon was born on Feb. 12, 1949 to Billy Dean and Betty (Craig) Killian in New Carlisle, OH. Her family moved to Flint, Michigan, which she called home her entire life. Shortly after her 1967 graduation from Ainsworth High School, she married Robert Conlen and welcomed daughters, Sandra Jo Alberto (Douglas Alberto) and Christy Lee Hill (Ed Wykes). She enjoyed her job as a nurses’ aide at Hurley Hospital, caring for cancer patients, until a heart attack prompted an early retirement in 1993. Along the line she divorced Robert, married and divorced Mike Hill, and lived ever after as a happier, single, strong, independent, and self-sufficient person.

Sharon overcame many challenges including a stark childhood, a few poor decisions, heart disease at a young age, and a leg amputation. She was a true renaissance woman with endless talent, knowledge, creativity, and ingenuity. She accomplished more on one-leg than others do with two. She found value in all items, taught herself how to use any and every tool, and refurbished, repurposed, remodeled, and refined items most would readily discard. Admired for her green thumb and skill as a gardener, she believed in the healing power of seed, sun, and soil and found great satisfaction when digging in the dirt. Friends and strangers alike admired her garden creations and she often responded by sharing tips and gladly dividing and gifting her plants, flowers, and vegetables. A wiz in the kitchen, she demonstrated love by the wonderfully delicious, unhealthy, fat-filled southern meals she shared, which were always dealt with a heaping dash of sass.

Sharon’s evolution to matriarch afforded her family with a loyal and dependable ally. Always forthright, she believed everyone could benefit from her opinion. Those she loved were made stronger and more resilient thanks to her wisdom and appreciation of truth, no matter at times, how direct.

The greatest joys of her life were her grandchildren, with whom she gave individual attention, time, and love as teacher, confidant, counselor, and champion. They are her legacy and include #1 Christy Hill (Donald Stebbins), Eric Hill, and Amy Alberto (Tyler Rohn); great-grandchildren Lane Stebbins and Saige Harper-Hill; and bonus-grands nephews Josh and Stephen Behan, Elyse and Maria Sepanak, Aliyah Stebbins, and Morgan Shields-Wykes.

Sharon’s wit and wisdom will be well-remembered by her children, grandchildren (and their friends), sisters Beth Meadows and Karen Rose, brother Billy D. Killian Jr., and many other relatives and friends.

While our loss is profound, we take comfort in knowing she is now reunited beyond with those she had missed so much on earth, including her adored dad, dear Aunt Pepper Hilma Joyce, and beloved dogs Butch, Buster, Tiny, and Maisy.

Cremation has taken place. We will celebrate Sharon’s life at memorial service on Friday, Nov. 18, 11:00 am at Central Church of the Nazarene, located at 1261 Bristol Road, Flint, Michigan. Visitation with the family will be available before the service at 10:00 am. Condolences may be shared online at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com and stories and memories would be appreciated.

In honor of Sharon’s valued adage, “when you know better, you do better,” we encourage all those who wish to honor her legacy, ease our loss, and make a positive difference, to be reflective of missteps, learn from mistakes, and just try to do a bit better each day. We love you, Mom. Thank you.