Mary E. (Barrall) Hill

Mary Elizabeth (Barrall) Hill, 79, of Franklin Ave., Bloomsburg completed her journey on March 20th at the beginning of her 80th year.

Born in the Berwick Hospital on December 28, 1945, a daughter of Capt. Paul and Rowena (Troy) Barrall, she grew up in Mifflinville. In her youth Mary loved the outdoors and spent her summers at her family cabin along Fishing Creek. She was an avid Girl Scout, attending 2 Girl Scout Roundups and earning her "Curved Bar" award. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years as an adult and additionally served on the board of Mental Health Society.

Music was another of Mary's youthful passions. She and her Mother spent hours playing duets together on the piano. She enjoyed singing in high school and went to District Chorus and also sang In the Collegiate Choir.

After graduating from Central Columbia High School in 1963, she graduated from Bloomsburg State College, University of Delaware and Temple University receiving her PhD in 1978. Mary spent her early career years teaching severely impaired individuals at Selinsgrove Center and Penhurst Center. For 25 years she was a professor in the Department of Exceptionalities at Bloomsburg University, retiring in 1999. During her years at BU she was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Mary's favorite times were spent with her dear family and friends. She loved dancing the night away with David on cruises and at dancing events throughout the area. She enjoyed cooking, picnicking at Fishing Creek, genealogy, traveling, crafting/quilting and pampering her many pets.

Mary's spiritual journey was an extremely important part of her life. Her Father gave her an early love of nature and she believed that there is that of God in every person and in all that exists. For many years she had been a member of the Society of Friends where she had several wonderful spiritual guides who helped her move along her way. She considered herself a universalist and her religion as "loving kindness".

Surviving is her beloved husband, dearest friend and soulmate of 47 years, David A. Hill whom she married in Brigantine, NJ on July 3, 1977.

She is also survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Mary Hill, Rochester NY and Laura Elizabeth Hill, partner Kenneth O'Neal and grandson Hunter David O'Neal of Mainville and brothers Tom and Jim Barrall. She was preceded in death by her loving parents as well as her wonderful in-laws, Sam and Mary Hill. She had the great privilege of providing home care for both her parents and in-laws at their journey's end.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Mary leaves her dear family and friends the gift of 3 meditations.

"I only love God as much as the person I love the least." Dorothy Day

"If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough." Meister Eckhart

"Grieve not nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you ... 'twas heaven here with you." I. S. Richardson

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.

Condolence messages and photographs may be posted at: www.krinerfuneralhomes.com