J E N N I F E R A N N H I L L
"It's been a lovely adventure, but it's hard to believe it's gone by so fast."
"So said gallery owner/art advocate/community leader/teacher/avid service volunteer and friend to all, Jennifer Hill on the occasion of the 30 occasion of the 30th anniversary of New Masters Gallery, which she owned with her husband of 38 years, Bill. Jennifer died peacefully March 11 after a short illness. She was a luminary that the art world will sorely miss.
Jennifer wore many hats in her early life, including that of devoted mom to daughter Melissa and son Michael. She was also a school teacher, an editor and marketing manager with McGraw-Hill, and the author of five math instructional texts. In 1986, she joined Bill in the gallery full-time, where her marketing savvy brought national attention to Carmel and many local artists. In 1998. Bill and Jennifer were honored by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce as "Gallery of the Year" and "Business of the Year." In 2003 and 2005, New Masters was again recognized as the Chamber's "Gallery of the Year."
Passionate about community service; Jennifer's many volunteer activities included serving as the board Director and President of The Carmel Chamber of Commerce, and Board Director of the Lyceum of Monterey Peninsula. She was an integral part of the Carmel Gallery Alliance and the key to the founding of the Carmel Art Festival, now in it's 13th year. Jennifer had an unique flair for combining art with community service, and, to that end, she and Bill opened their gallery at Christmas for many years for a toy drive. Bill and Jennifer also encouraged many young artists by annually inviting children aged 3-8 to hand their are on New Masters' wall as part of a benefit for the Carmel Bay School.
To honor her dedication and involvement in the Rotary Club, the Board of Directors recently established the Jennifer Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit students from Carmel High School and York School, where her children are graduates.
Jennifer's generous heart, vibrant
spirit, dedication to here community, and passion for the arts in Carmel were
part of the colorful fabric that is Carmel, and her good works and positive
impact will always be remembered."
With special thanks to the Carmel Gallery Guide.
She will be greatly missed and remembered by all!
Bill and Jennifer Hill-2006
The following is the eulogy delivered by Jennifer's sister, Nancy Broderick, at the services which were held at the Camel Mission.
"It's true, you can't choose your family. The family you are born into is the outcome of some sort of cosmic lottery. And for the most part, the odds aren't rally all that great. Fortunately for me, I have won the jackpot. I have a great family but I am especially blessed to have a wonderful sister, Jennifer.
Jennifer grew up in Illinois, started dating Bill at 15, went to the University of Illinois, was a neurotic Illinois fan, but not as bad as Bill, got married at 20, became a teacher, moved to California, ran an art gallery and had three beautiful children, Melissa, Michael, and of course, Miss Maggie Mae. She enjoyed living her life in beautiful Carmel, California. That is Jennifer in a nutshell.
But her life was so much more than that. Jennifer had several passions which include a strong commitment to the community, New Masters Gallery, and her family. In the community, she was an active member of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary, and served on the Board of Directors. The club recently honored her with a scholarship fund in her name to benefit students of Carmel High and York School. She was an active member of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce, served two terms as a Board Director and was also President. She was a member and supporter of the Carmel Art Festival, the Lyceum and the Carmel Youth Center. In her spare time, she spearheaded the fundraiser for "The Love of Art" to bendfit Craig Spinal Cord and Rehab Hospital in Denver, Colorado. This is the wonderful place where my Dad, Art, recuperated after his Snowmobile Accident. For the last 18 years, she supported the Kindship Center, Salvation Army and the YMCA through New Masters Gallery Annual Christmas Toy Drive. The list goes on but I would be here all day!
New Masters Gallry has been her passion since 1974. She and Bill have worked together to build, in my unbiased opinion, the best gallery in Carmel. The first New Masters Gallery was a small space upstairs, in the back of a courtyard. As a little kid, I would sit there and cover for them if they had to go move their car or get a cup of coffee. I would get scared and ask what do I do if someone comes in? They would laugh and just say-don't worry-no one will come in, and they were right! A lot has changed since then, today New Masters Gallery is now 4,000 square feet and represents more that 60 artists from all over the world. It has grown in importance and stature, but it is more than that. Jennifer put her heart and soul into making it not only s successful family business with Bill but also a legacy for her children.
Family was, by far, the most important thing to her. Jennifer married Bill, her high school sweetheart, and they were married for more than 38 years. In the last few years their union truly blossomed. They were partners in business, parenthood, life and love. Even as the end was near, she still would be excited to see him, and they would sit together and hold hands and share their whispers of eternal love. Jennifer was a caring mother, nurturing her children and raising them with principle and honor. Melissa, her daughter, is a beautiful woman who is full of life and love. When times were tough these last few months, she was always the one who could make me laugh. Like Jennifer always said, "A day without Melissa is a day without sunshine". I am blessed to have her as a niece but even luckier to have her as a friend. Michael, her son, who just turned 21 on Sunday, has grown into a man of character and compassion. When Jennifer was pregnant with Michael and found out she was having a boy, she was so nervous. She wondered, "What do I know about raising a boy?" But one Michael was placed in her arms, it was love at first sight and all her worries melted away. Michael has been a tremendous source of strength and support for his mother and the rest of the family during this difficult time. He is truly our angel.
Her family meant the would to her. As her time drew to a close, we had many talks together. She was concerned about her family and was worried about how they would handle her death. She asked me to look after them and I promised her I would take care of everything...And then she looked at me like only she could and said, well, do what can... she kept her fantastic sense of humor right to the end. For me, I could not have asked for a better sister. As a baby, my mom took me to the doctor when I was 13 months old because I wasn't walking yet. She was convinced that something was terribly wrong with my legs. After a few questions and a brief exam, the doctor just shook his head and said. all this child needs is to not be carried around all the time by her big sister, and sure enough, that was the case. Little by little she stopped carrying me and taught me how to walk on my own. It was through this process of life that Jennifer has taught me to stand on my own two feet. That it is okay to be a bit wobbly at first because soon, you can walk and eventually run. As I got older, she became less of a mentor and more of a friend. A day rarely went by when I did not talk to her. When we had bad days, or when we were upset, she would always say to us-chin up-go wash your face and remember-You are never fully dressed without a smile.
I will miss her laughing and her crying. I will miss her breaking into a song at every occasion, at least for the most part. To this day, I can't see a full moon without hearing "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie", or she would sing the Illini fight song, every time she say something about Illinois. She is the only person I know that had a show tune for every occasion. It was just one of her endearing traits. I will always miss her searching for her keys; I will miss tripping over shoes. I will miss watching her rummaging in her desk drawers looking for something. I will miss her little notes she always left for her family and me. I will miss her generosity and her spirit. I will miss her determination and her courage.
I never say anyone be so brave as she was during these last few months. It was a horrific struggle for her but she never complained, not once. Jennifer entered death as she lived her life, with dignity and Grace. She was there when I came into the world and I am honored to have been there when she left it.
Unfortunately, Jennifer is no longer with us in this physical world. She has moved on to a better place. She was a strong woman, living her life with principle and purpose. But most importantly, my sister was a kind and gentle human being, loved by everybody, as we can see by all who are here today. I will miss many things about Jennifer, but most of all, I will miss my sister. I love you, Jennifer. You have enriched my life immeasurably.
During these last few months of caring for her, I was asked many times, "How did I do it?" And the answer is simple. Love...I did it for love.
Thank you for being here today. Jennifer would be so pleased. I know she loved you all. As I look out on the crowd and see some sad faces please remember, Chin up, wash your face and you are never fully dressed without a smile. Take care and God bless. Please join us for a celebration of Jennifer's life at the Gallery immediately following the service.
Thank You"
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