Donna Joy Hilling, 68, Hollidaysburg, died Thursday at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Lakemont, daughter of the late William "Bill" and Evelyn "Evie" (Greenawalt) Hilling.
Surviving are her four loving children: Tera Herman and husband, Rob, of Hollidaysburg, Wendy Belinda and husband, Tom, of Williamsburg, Heather Ditillo and husband, Jeff, of Longmont, Colo., and T. Hilling and partner, Jason Brumbaugh; and her six grandchildren, "the lights of her life": Jared Oakes and wife, Alex, of Duncansville, Danielle Oakes of Duncansville, Corey Smola and wife, Amy, of Williamsburg, Mara Herman of Hollidaysburg and Logan and Theo Ditillo of Longmont, Colo.
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Donna is also survived by her seven caring siblings: Bill and wife, Janice, of Mechanicsburg, Harold "Cork" and wife, Peggy, of Huntingdon, Jim and wife, Marilyn "Trib," of Hollidaysburg, Ron and wife, Sandy, of Erie, Patti Barefoot and husband, Fred, of Lakemont, Nona Albarano and husband, Ralph, of Duncansville and Connie of Altoona; and many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Donna was a 1961 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School. She had worked for the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C., and had been manager of Country Club Terrace Apartments, manager of Ralph's Homemade Ice Cream, executive at the Ramada, banquet manager at The Casino at Lakemont Park, business development manager at Lakemont Park and owner of Season's Restaurant. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Donna loved bringing joy to everyone around her, orchestrating many parties, big and small, planning the most beautiful weddings and anniversaries for so many in our community, always making sure that lasting memories with good times, great food, love and laughter were created for all.
Her truest joy came from her family, especially her "grandbabies." She dedicated her life to fiercely loving her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends unconditionally. She "fed" all of those around her, nourishing them with her amazing recipes, her famous pies and her words of wisdom. She lived her life with class, honesty, integrity and humor, even until her dying days, caring for all of those around her, filling the room with laughter, not tears, to celebrate life.
When she wasn't caring for her family, Donna loved gardening, watching her doves and hummingbirds, taking walks and kicking fall leaves. She loved the ocean, and she was passionate about politics, loved watching sports and was the loudest, most loyal cheerleader in the stands for her "teams," whether they were the Little League baseball, softball, volleyball or ice hockey teams of her nieces, nephews, children or grandchildren or the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins and Penn State.
Donna will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
There will be no visitation. A funeral service, joyously celebrating her life, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at Zion Lutheran Church, Hollidaysburg, by the Rev. Gregory Harbaugh.
The family requests that contributions be made to her daughter Wendy's nonprofit organization, Through Inc., 2879 Everett Road, East Freedom, PA 16637.
Arrangements are by Plank, Stitt & Stevens Funeral Home, 421 Montgomery St., Hollidaysburg.
