Rita Hillman
Alton | Save
Rita Frances (Britts) Hillman, a woman of remarkable grace and wit, passed away on August 29, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 70. Born on September 21, 1953, in Alton, Illinois, Rita was the beloved daughter of the late Charles William Britts, Jr. and Mary G. Britts (Wilkinson).
Rita’s early life in Alton was marked by deep roots in her community and faith. She attended St. Patrick's Catholic School and later graduated from Marquette Catholic High School, laying the foundation for a life defined by intelligence, compassion, and a quiet strength. As a young woman, Rita worked alongside her father, a talented chef at the Stratford Hotel. She cultivated an extraordinary love for cooking which wasn't just a skill for her; it was a way of connecting with others and sharing joy.
Her professional journey began in Alton, where she managed the Ramada Inn and later the YWCA, touching countless lives in the Alton community with her leadership and dedication. Rita’s path next led her to Lafayette, Indiana, where she found her professional home at Purdue University. As an executive assistant to the vice president of the Technology Department, Rita was the linchpin of the office, known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to keep the wheels of the department turning smoothly. Never one to rest on her laurels, Rita pursued and earned a degree in creative writing from Purdue, channeling her passion for the written word into a career as an editor extraordinaire. In this role, she became known for her unparalleled skill, turning rough drafts into polished masterpieces.
Rita’s heart, however, was always with her family. She was a devoted mother to her two children, Nicholas George Charles Hillman and Elizabeth Mary Rose Hillman. They were the center of her world, and she poured her love and wisdom into raising them with the same values she held dear. Her love only grew with the arrival of her two grandsons, Trey and Charlie, who were the light of her life. Rita’s joy in being a grandmother was unmatched, and she cherished every moment spent with her beloved boys.
Fifteen years ago, Rita made her home in San Antonio, Texas, where she was surrounded by family, including her two sisters, Marie Schickedanz and Theresa Britts as well as lifelong family friends, Theresa and Graddie Robinson, who survive her. Rita also leaves behind her daughter-in-law (Hely Hillman), niece (Aimee Schickedanz Browne), nephew (Dene Schickedanz and wife Christina Longnecker), and seven grandnephews, all of whom she loved dearly.
Rita was a woman of quiet confidence, so much so that a stranger once stopped her in a parking lot to tell her she looked regal. Those who knew her would agree: Rita carried herself with an air of grace and dignity that was simply undeniable. Her intelligence and wit made those around her feel at ease and filled their lives with laughter. To know Rita was to be in the presence of someone truly special - a woman who could lift your spirits with a single word and make you see the beauty in life’s smallest details.
As we say goodbye to Rita, we do so with the knowledge that her story is one that will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Though no one could write her obituary better than she could have, we hope this humble tribute captures just a fraction of the incredible woman she was.
Rest in peace, Rita Frances Hillman. Your legacy of love and laughter will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be held at 9 am until time of funeral 11 am on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, IL. Bishop Gery Pleasant will officiate.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Online condolences can be given at www.kallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
