Ellen Hilton

Ellen L. Hilton, 86, of Olathe, Kansas passed away December 27, 2013, at Good Samaritan Center in Olathe. Ellen was born April 17, 1927, in Tenino, Washington, the daughter of Ruth Keene.

Ellen's life was one filled with hardship, but through it all, she remained strong and good and resilient, always keeping her dreams close, a hopeful spirit alive and a faith in God that kept her going. Her children were her life; she sacrificed much to provide for them and to help them have access to opportunities in life that she didn't have. Ellen worked for many years in the food and service industry cleaning houses, waiting tables and cooking; her customers became her friends; she loved people and they loved her. Besides cooking, Ellen's passion was garage sales and she eventually opened her own thrift shop in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She also opened a small roadside stand near Alamogordo where she sold local produce and food items, many of which she made herself. She loved visiting with locals as well as tourists who frequented her stand.

Ellen will be remembered for the way she touched others' lives through her loving and giving nature and her wonderful sense of humor; even through the most difficult times, Ellen's sense of humor was unstoppable, her laughter contagious.

Ellen will also be remembered for her love of animals. Most of the many cats and dogs she cared for throughout her life were ones she had rescued; they gave her such joy and comfort. When she became a resident of Good Samaritan Center in Olathe, she was tickled to have the company of four resident pets there! Tilly, a frisky, loving cocker spaniel, provided wonderful companionship, especially during outings to the courtyard. Ellen also enjoyed the companionship of three resident cats, two of whom visited her room daily. She loved keeping food and water for them as well as a soft blanket for them to cuddle in.

Ellen was "Mom" to six children and eight stepchildren – as well as to many of her children's friends! She was preceded in death by stepchildren Gene and Kenneth Walthall, Louise Olsen and Larry Hilton.

Surviving children include Margo Watkins, Ray and Roy Edinger, Michael Walthall, Cheryl Hall and Eirene Tucker. Surviving stepchildren include Gary and David Walthall, Jennifer Rasnick and John Hilton. Ellen is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ellen leaves behind a legacy of lessons about life and love and giving, much of which she learned through the love of her grandparents, Robert Samuel Alexander and Margaret Stack Alexander. Ellen's wish was to have her ashes placed with her grandparents at Fern Hill Cemetery in Chehalis, Washington. A private family memorial is planned there for early summer.

In honor of Ellen, Memorial Contributions may be made to
Great Plains SPCA, 5428 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202, http://www.greatplainsspca.org/donate/honor-memorial/ or to
TARA: The Animal Rescue Alliance, PO Box 520798, Independence, MO 64052 http://www.tarasdream.org/


The first poem below was written by Ellen for her children; it was found the morning after her passing.


JUST IN CASE GOODBYE

If I should go quickly with no time to say Goodbyes
The last thing I will see is you in my eyes.
I'll take with me memories and lots of years of love
Until we gather again above.
With all my love
Mom
Thank you for your care, loving and giving. You've been my life all of you.




TO THOSE I LOVE

If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way,
Grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears,
But laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there.
(I'd come – I'd come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers? )
And when you hear a song
Or see a bird I loved,
Please do not let the thought of me be sad…
For I am loving you just as I always have…
You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still to do -
So many things to say to you…
Remember that I did not fear…
It was Just leaving you that was so hard to face…
We cannot see Beyond…
But this I know:
I love you so -
'twas heaven here with you!
by Isla Paschal Richardson, 1998



AFTER GLOW

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done,
I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing
times and bright and
summer days.
I'd like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
by Helen Lowrie Marshall