Joan M. Hill
April 19, 1955 – July 22, 2024
Joan Marie Hill (Frederick) was born on April 19, 1955, in Denver, Colorado. She was the third of four children born to Harold and Betty Frederick. Harold’s job brought the family back to Omaha and Joan graduated from Central High School in 1973. After high school, she worked as a telephone operator. She met Thomas Edward Hill of Utica, Ohio, and in 1976, they were married. They had one son, Matthew Thomas Hill. Tom’s career in the military took Joan all over the country and eventually to Europe.
In 1991, Joan would return to Omaha. In 1992, she began working at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She started out as a secretary in the financial aid office. While working full time, she decided to continue her education and began to take classes through Metro Community College, and eventually Bellevue University. She would finish her bachelor’s degree and continue to graduate with a master’s degree. When she retired from UNMC in 2022, she was the Director of Student Financial Services.
Joan was a vibrant and active woman. When she was younger, she had hobbies that ranged from SCUBA diving to bowling. She loved to travel and was able to spend time all over the world. In her retirement, she found joy in her dogs, Willow and Winston. She loved to knit. She loved to sew. She had recently taken on the momentous task of sewing a quilt for all of her grandchildren. Ultimately, the thing that she enjoyed the most was spending time with her family. Whether that was painting pottery with her grandchildren or playing cribbage with her son, she truly enjoyed that time.
In 2023, Joan received the news that she had cancer. She was determined to fight the disease and continue to live her life. She did six months of chemotherapy and it appeared to be working. Imaging showed that her tumors were shrinking, and lab tests showed the tumor markers were very low. She had one remaining appointment and with a repeat scan she would have been able to start a chemo holiday. She planned to use that time to travel and work on her quilting projects.
Unfortunately, on the evening of July 22, 2024,Joan passed away suddenly. Her life touched so many others and she made the world a better place by being in it. Her loss leaves a void that is impossible to fill.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Betty (Saltzman) and Harold Frederick. She is survived by her brother, Charles (Ed) Frederick and his wife, Debbie, her sister, Betty Fiddelke and her husband, Richard, her sister, Cathy Morris, and her husband, Al; and her son, Matthew, and his wife, Shayna. Joan had six grandchildren: Anthony, Hunter, Camden, Raygen, Kaylyn, and Meredith. She had two great-grandchildren: Navy and Easton.
VISITATION: Monday, July 29, 2024, 5:00-7:00 PM at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 11:00AM at West Center Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to the Visiting Nurses Association
To view a broadcast of the service please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
14 Comments
Joan was my (Judy) first cousin and her smile could light up a room. Always enjoyed our chats on the phone. She will be missed. Our condolences to her entire family
May sweet memories bring peace to Joan’s family. I knew Joan from UNMC & her energy & dedication to her work were boundless. UNMC & students benefited greatly thanks to Joan.
We moved in next-door to Joan after my husband‘s aunt passed away leaving us her home. Joan and Aunt Patty were good friends and neighbors through the years as Patty had lived next-door to Joan’s parents before living next-door to Joan. Over the last three years Joan had become like an aunt to us. We will miss her smile, her laughter, and her sweet neighborly ways!
What shock to hear of Joan’s passing. I’ll always have fond memories of or time at Central and beyond. My condolences to her family. Debi Munk Banks
What a shock to hear of Joan’s passing. I’ll always have fond memories of our times at Central and beyond. Condolences to the entire family.
What a shock to hear of Joan’s passing. I will always have fond memories of our times at Central and beyond.. my sympathies to her entire family.
We’re so sad and sorry for your loss. Joan was a kind and vigilant neighbor; we always felt safe knowing she was watching out for us. Her presence will be dearly missed at our Friday night neighbor gatherings.
What a shock to hear of Joan’s passing. I have many fond memories of our time at Central and beyond. Sympathies to the entire family.
My sincere and heartful condolences on the loss of this amazing person and dearest friend. I am so devastated that I was not physically able to attend the cisitation or service but I was there in spirit. May God hold her in His loving arms for all eternity. May your memories of her soothe the family in the days to come.
Joan was an amazing lady. I had the pleasure of working with her periodically, she cared about the students and made sure that their questions were answered. I will miss her. I know this will leave a huge empty spot in the lives she touched. My prayers are with her family and friends. God Bless!
My sincere condolences on the loss of this amazing lady. She was in charge of my hiring at UNMC, and we worked together very well. She will be greatly missed. I pray that her family find peace and comfort.
My condolences to Joan’s family and friends. I appreciated Joan so much! Whenever I reached out to her, she was kind, patient, and helpful! Joan was truly dedicated and passionate about helping the students and staff across the campuses as we navigated through the financial aid system. I enjoyed our conversations, especially when once in a while we would allow ourselves to sidetrack and take a few minutes to share about family and life experiences! A lovely lady for sure!
I had the pleasure of meeting Joan when I accepted my position in the division of student success at UNMC back in 2018. She was such a joy to engage and interact with. We would talk about Germany (my homeland), and where the best brats can be purchased in Omaha. I am so very saddened to hear about her passing. She certainly had so much more life to live. My deepest condolences to her family and all who loved her.
I’m heartbroken learning the news of Joan. She was one of the first neighbors I met when I moved to Omaha, in 2015, and we became instant friends. Our conversations were priceless and the time spent together was always full of laughter. She fought cancer like a champ and I thought for sure she was winning the battle. Joan will be missed so much! Continued prayers for her family and friends!
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