Shellie Rae Tate Hill

Shellie Rae Tate Hill passed away in her sleep on August 23, 2024 at her home in Holladay, Utah.

Shellie was born in Tooele, UT on September 22, 1949 to Margaret Helen McLaws and Wayne LeRoy Palmer.  Her Father, Wayne, passed when Shellie was just 2 years old.  She was adopted by her Mother’s second husband, Elmer Gundry Tate.  Shellie graduated from Tooele High School in 1967.  Shortly after graduation, Elmer passed suddenly at home.  She met the love of her life, Eldan Lorin Hill, in 1967 and they were married on March 9^th, 1968.  

Eldan and Shellie were married for 56 years, raising 2 boys while running a successful engineering services company. Shellie and Eldan loved to race their stock sports cars. Eldan often remarked that no one was faster or more daring than Shellie behind the wheel. They owned and raced several American Muscle Cars in the first 6 years of their marriage, never slowing down until they had their first son Kyle. Adam came along a few years later and Shellie was the most dedicated mom two boys could ever ask for. Their happiness and wellbeing was always her number one concern. Whatever the activity, Mom was there to support them whether in athletics or educational and vocational pursuits. She was the scorekeeper for the high school basketball team and had to be careful to bite her tongue in her official capacity because she usually knew more than the referees about the rules. 

Shellie was frugal, independent and enterprising. She disliked paying someone to do anything she could do herself. She checked out books from the library and taught herself how to remodel and rewire the kitchen at their house in Layton. She painstakingly removed the rust from Kyle’s first car, a 1967 Ford Mustang, and formed new fenders with bondo.  

Shellie always loved learning and was particularly fascinated by the medical field.  She ultimately went back to school and became a Medical Assistant. She worked at a doctor’s office in Bountiful, UT for several years and enjoyed caring for the patients that they saw regularly. They frequently commented how caring and thorough she was and she often was able to diagnose what was happening with them before the doctor even came in the room! Shellie left her job as a Medical Assistant to support Eldan who had taken over Summit Valley Engineering. Together they built and expanded the business that would ultimately become one of only two of its kind in the world. 

Shellie was a deeply loving and fiercely loyal wife, mother and grandmother. She was dedicated to her trusted circle of friends and would do anything for the people she loved. 

Shellie knew how to love completely. She didn’t let everyone in, but those she did would be showered with unconditional love. She was funny, witty, and often sarcastic but thoughtful and considerate. Her primary concern was for her family and making sure they were taken care of and happy. She loved going to Bear Lake with her family and was wakeboarding into her 60s. With an indomitable spirit that could barely be contained in her small stature, Shellie’s willpower was a force to be reckoned with!  She spent weeks every year planning the annual family vacation because it was important to her that the family stay close and connected with people living far apart. 

Shellie was preceded in death earlier this year by her husband of 56 years, Eldan Lorin Hill, and was anxious to see him again. She felt incomplete without him by her side and never stopped expecting him to come in the room and tell her about his day. 

She is survived by son Kyle T Hill (Jessica Thamert), granddaughters Tate Madalena Hill, Toryn Ella Hill, grandson Ryder Adam Hill; and son Adam Dean Hill (Natalie Smith), grandson Daxton Adam Hill, granddaughters Tenley Mae Hill, Addison Rae Hill.

We know that she is happy to be with Dad again even though she is missed terribly. We take comfort knowing that she is released from the pain and difficulty she had in the last years of her life and that she chose how to spend her last days with her family by her side. 

Shellie was grateful to be able to spend her last weeks at home.  We are deeply grateful to Sara and Lara from Hospice for Utah and Maria from Visiting Angels for their loving and tender care.  We are also incredibly grateful for her primary care provider Catherine Coates, NP.

Friends and family are invited to an open house on August 31^st, 2024 from 10:30 to 1:30 at Shellie’s home located at 5376 S Cottonwood Lane, Holladay, UT 84117.  Dress is casual and feel free to stop by for a few minutes or few hours.  Light lunch will be served.