Barbara Hill

December 31, 1935 - October 10, 2022

All obituaries seem to begin that way, we announce when the journey begins and when the journey ends. But it’s that dash in the middle between birth and death that holds a wealth of memories and breathtaking moments of sadness, joys, hopes, and dreams. We often overlook the dash. This is the time to remember Barb’s “dash.”

Barbara was only five years old when her father passed away. She and her older brother Richard were raised by their mother at a time when being a single mother was difficult. In high school, Barbara moved to Sedan, Kansas to live with her grandmother and finish high school. She was a cheerleader and worked at the town drugstore as a soda jerk. After graduation, Barbara moved to Topeka, where she worked as a bank teller. It was there that she met her future husband, Lester Hill, an officer in the United States Air Force.

Les and Barbara were blessed with two sons: David Lester and Rick Alan. David and his wife, Justeen, reside in Waterloo, Iowa and Rick and his partner, Lee, reside in Kansas City, Missouri. Upon his discharge, Les became a commercial airline pilot and moved his young family to Olathe, Kansas in 1966. Barbara opened a children’s clothing store in downtown Olathe called The Carousel. She later sold her share so that she could be home to make donuts and hot chocolate for the boys when they got home from school.

Barbara’s love for community became evident as she became a member of the Jaycee Jaynes and a Boy Scout mom. Barbara became involved in Cedar House, a transitional living home in Central Olathe, where over time she served as president of the Cedar House Board and the Cedar House Bazaar.

After Barb’s divorce in 1983, she returned to school at Johnson County Community College and earned her Associates Degree. She was then hired as the Director of Volunteer Services at Olathe Medical Center where she served for 21 years before retirement. Over the years she remained actively involved with Friends of the Library where she served as treasurer and the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farmstead where she served on the board. Every Thursday she would attend the Olathe Noon Optimist Club where she served as secretary and sold BBQ to help raise money for scholarships for underprivileged youth and the Boys and Girls Club of Olathe.

Barbara was a proud grandmother to David and Justeen’s 3 daughters, Olivia Justeen, Alexis Grace, and Elizabeth Barbara. Every summer, the girls enjoyed endless days with Grandma at what became known as “Camp Grandma.” Grandma would capture the adventures they had at Camp Grandma in photo books to give to the girls. The memories are etched in their hearts to be cherished for a lifetime.

Barbara was a classy lady. Her style of dress, jewelry, and strong friendships lasted decades. Her giving and compassionate spirit embodied what volunteerism looked like, a heart that loved to give back.

Barbara was someone who lived “beyond the dash.”

We will miss her deeply!

A visitation for Barbara will be held Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at McGilley & Frye Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 105 E. Loula Street, Olathe, KS 66061. A graveside service for family and friends will occur Friday, October 21, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Olathe Memorial Cemetery, 435 N Chestnut Rd., Olathe, KS 66061.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilley-Frye.com for the Hill family.