SAYING GOODBYE | Community Mourns the Loss of Hill's Country Store Owner, Pat Hill

PAT LOST HER BATTLE WITH CANCER AFTER A LONG FIGHT

On Sunday, January 17 the world lost an extra special person– Pat Hill (56) of Kaneville. The proud mom of Alexa and Tyler Hill was also the owner of the popular general store, Hill's Country Store in the heart of Kaneville (also known as "The Purple Store").

Pat was always eager to help others, giving back to many individuals and organizations in countless ways throughout the years. Even one of her very last posts in social media was a fundraiser event for Kaneland Arts Initiative that she shared to help raise awareness for the organization. As friends and loved ones shared in the last few days, Pat deeply touched so many in her lifetime.

We had the pleasure of covering Pat and her business through the years. One of our favorite events that we photographed in the Kaneland area included the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Hill's Country Store back in 2017. Purple was proudly displayed throughout the store as guests visited to congratulate Pat and her family on 10 years of success and dedication. These photos are from that very special event.

"One of my favorite memories of Pat was when I chaperoned my daughter's KCCC pre-school parade on Halloween. The children walked through town and Pat was so happy and cheerful as she passed out special treats to all of the kids. I could tell just how happy it made her to see the kids parade through her store in their costumes. It was the cutest. She was beaming and the kids love her." said Lindy Kleivo, Sugar Grove mom of 3 and Founding Publisher of Glancer Magazine.

As her obituary reads, Pat moved to Kaneville from West Chicago in 1995 where she fell in love with the community and later became a lunchroom monitor for Blackberry Creek Elementary School and a teacher’s aide at KCCC. Her rapport with the students was immediate and long lasting. Pat began working for Mary Nicely at “The Purple Store” in Kaneville, later purchasing it in 2007, christening it “Hill’s Country Store”. Her tenure is storied and well documented, and her passion for her community unmatched.

It went on to include that Pat was a member of the Elburn Lions Club, and past president and trustee on the Kaneville Village Board. She also was a member of the Kaneville Cemetery Board. Pat was instrumental in establishing and continuing the tradition of the annual Kaneville Fest. In addition, she a was proud member of the Elburn Chamber of Commerce and contributor to many charitable foundations such as Cayce’s Charities, Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, C.I.A.C.O., Toys for Tots and VNA.

Pat's community spirit will live on and shine brightly through her children, as they continue to welcome residents at Hill's Country Store and remain actively involved in the community. All of us at Glancer Magazine will miss Pat's smile and her warm heart.

PHOTOS: Pat is pictured above to the left and middle at the 10th Anniversary of Hill's Country Store. Glancer Magazine photos by Mike Catuara. Bottom photo taken by Pat's family.