Obituary of Marsha Lorraine Hill

Marsha L. Hill 

1949 – 2023

Marsha Hill, 74 of St. Petersburg passed away suddenly from a cardiac event October 9, 2023. She was born in St. Petersburg. She lived for many years in Riverview with her life partner Karen Hughes, before moving back to St. Pete.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jewel & Walter Hill, her sister, Lisa Hill and her life partner, Karen Hughes.

She is survived by her sister, Brenda Hitt, brother-in-law, Richard Hitt and by Karen’s extended family in Lewistown, IL., with whom she remained close.

Marsha graduated from St. Pete High School in 1967 and attended her 50th reunion in 2017. She remained in contact with some of her classmates throughout the years.

After high school, she attended and graduated from Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1970. In 2020, she celebrated her 50 year reunion with her nursing classmates, with whom she has remained in close contact over the years. She joined the Navy as an Ensign in the Naval Nurse Corp in 1970 and was promoted to LTJG in 1971, completing her 2 year active commitment in 1972. She continued with non-active reserve service duty until 1978. During her time in the Navy, she served as a nurse in Corpus Christie, TX and at the Naval Base in Orlando. She continued her career as a critical care nurse, working at the James A Haley VA Hospital in Tampa starting in 1980. After 29 years, Marsha retired from the VA Hospital in Tampa in 2009, working with many great colleagues in CCU, Utilization Review and Quality Assurance. After retirement, she remained friends with her longtime colleagues. Marsha had an exemplary 39 year career as a critical care nurse. She earned many accommodations in the Navy and at the VA for her excellence in nursing, as well as many “thanks and appreciation” from her patients. In 1970, a mother of a young man that Marsha was caring for in Corpus Christi, wrote “may I recommend Ensign Hill for a kindness citation. There are so few people today that really hold out their hand in friendship that it should be commended”. Marsha went the extra mile for her patients and their loved ones. She was kind, compassionate, loving, understanding, and maintained a very high standard of care.

Marsha was an avid Bucs and Lightning fan. She enjoyed traveling, photography, playing golf, gardening, watching old movies and comedy shows, laughing and telling jokes, music, and dancing… And the dance continues with Karen, her life partner. She loved & cared about her family and friends, helping & supporting in times of need. She will be forever close in our hearts.

If you would like to donate in Marsha’s memory, please consider the following 2 local charities or a charity of your choice.

St. Petersburg Free Clinic

863 3rd Ave N

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

stpetersburgfreeclinic.org

Feeding Tampa Bay

4702 Transport Dr.

Building 6

Tampa, FL 33605

Feedingtampabay.org

A Celebration of life will be held Sat December 9th from 1-3 pm at 16 Crescent Place So, St Petersburg, FL 33711