Elinor Jean Jones Hill; Engineering Assistant

Elinor Jean Jones Hill, a retired engineering assistant, died Tuesday at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura as a result of complications from an aggressive form of liver cancer. She was 74.

She was born on March 28, 1926, in Casper, Wyo., to Fred Lee and Evelyn W. Jones and grew up in Glenrock, Wyo., where she studied music as a young woman. She won several blue ribbons at various music festivals for her violin solos and vocal abilities.

In 1944, she married Staff Sgt. Alfred Leroy Hill in Billings, Mont. Hill, who served in World War II in Europe and the Pacific, died from injuries suffered during the war.

Elinor Hill moved to Ventura in 1951 and was hired by Tidewater Associated Oil Co. as a stenographer. The company became Tidewater Oil Co. and was later purchased by Getty Oil Co. Eventually the operation was bought by Texaco. Hill retired as an engineering assistant in 1988 after 37 years of service.

Hill served as secretary of the California Coastal chapter of the American Petroleum Institute for more than 25 years. She received the institute’s Meritorious Service Award in 1969 and four years later became the first woman member of the group awarded an honorary lifetime membership.

She was active at San Buenaventura Mission, including chairing dinner dances, parish fund-raisers and the annual bazaar. She also served as secretary of the Old Mission Rosary Altar Society, was a member and secretary of the parish council, and received an Outstanding Service Award for her dedication and commitment to the work of the parish.

She is survived by son Thom Hill of Glendora, and an “adopted” daughter, Marcia Wallet of Ventura.

Rosary services are scheduled at 7 tonight at Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura, which is handling the arrangements.

Funeral Mass is scheduled at 8:45 a.m. Saturday at San Buenaventura Mission. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.