Amy MacDuffie Hill was a beloved teacher at Mabel I. Wilson School in Cumberland who inspired scores of young people to read and dedicated herself to showing teachers the best practices in literacy instruction.
Though teaching was an important part of her life, nothing compared with the love she had for her husband, John Hill, and their three young children, Luke, 10, Emily, 8, and Sophie, 5.
Additional Photos
Mrs. Hill died Monday at age 40 after a long and valiant fight against cancer.
She began her career as a substitute teacher at Mabel I. Wilson School, Red Bank School and Skillins School in South Portland. In 1996, she joined the staff at Mabel Wilson, teaching first- and second-graders. For the past nine years she worked there as a literacy coach, teaching kids to read and showing colleagues her instruction techniques.
The school’s principal, Karen Bubar, said Tuesday that Mrs. Hill was a phenomenal teacher and facilitator who always put the students first.
“She was a tremendous asset to the school,” Bubar said. “She knew her students. She knew how to challenge them to take the next step. She was able to motivate them and engage them. She touched so many lives. She was a tremendous inspiration to everyone here.”
Most of the teachers and faculty learned Tuesday that Mrs. Hill had died. Letters were sent home to parents.
“There were lots of tears and hugs (today),” Bubar said. “Even though we’re a big school, we’re a family. Amy was so much a part of that.”
She was remembered by her family Tuesday as a strong, courageous and outgoing woman who had a passion for life and her family.
She was married to John Hill for 14 years. On Tuesday, he remembered the day they met in Portland’s Old Port.
“I loved her personality and smile,” he recalled. “It was very easy to talk to her.”
Hill spoke briefly about their life together, noting that the bulk of their time centered around their kids. He said his wife attended their children’s school activities and sporting events, served as a Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout leader, and volunteered in their classrooms.
“She was a fantastic mom,” he said. “It was very important for her to spend time with them.”
Two years ago, Mrs. Hill was diagnosed with myoepithial carcinoma, a rare form of cancer. Her husband said she fought her cancer with determination, courage and grace. He said no matter how sick she felt after her treatments, she was present for her kids. She attended her daughter’s dance recital and her son’s football, baseball and basketball games.
“It was all about the kids and not letting (her cancer) define who she is,” her husband said. “Amy was very positive. She felt in her heart that she would beat it. She would say, ‘I have a husband and three kids that need me and I’m going to beat this.’ “
Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:
mcreamer@pressherald.com
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.