Emily Hill, 77
Born and raised in Andalusia, Alabama, Emily Hill was an only child to very loving and doting parents. Her father, a lawyer, loved to travel and was known to drive great distances to satisfy his family’s desire for pizza or lobster. Emily exhibited a love of music and piano from an early age, which her parents immediately supported. Emily was selected as the All-State Accompanist for the Class of 1966, won the National Arion Scholarship for Best Instrumental & Choral Member.
One of the best lessons she received from an early age was the belief she could go anywhere, there was no place beyond her reach. From her earliest years Emily remembers the value her parents placed on knowledge and intelligence. Emily was the salutatorian for the graduating Class of 1966 and furthered her education at Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina. She earned a degree in arts and piano performance. Following graduation, Emily went on to play with various chamber groups as well as The New York Vocal Arts Ensemble and the Pensacola Symphony.
While in college she met her husband, Ken and fell madly in love. Following their marriage Emily moved overseas to Germany where her husband was a medical resident in orthopedic surgery. While living in Europe, Emily, Ken and their children, Alice and Ben, made wonderful lifelong friendships that continue to this day. Emily loved every day of the three years their family lived in Germany, the opportunities it allowed their family to be immersed in another culture, as well as the spur of the moment trips to Rome and Paris. Emily’s zeal for life and travel, accompanied by a sense of wonder and appreciation for each day has sustained her through the years and helped her find light amidst the struggles she’s encountered.
While Emily’s life has been filled with wonderful memories and a beautiful upbringing, her health to a turn when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After countless doctor’s appointments and tests, she was approved for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery in 2018 which improves movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and greatly improves overall quality of life. This procedure typically has a 50 percent recovery rate and remarkably, Emily achieved 98 percent recovery.
Emily moved to The Culpeper in 2024. She chose and assisted living apartment to be closer to her husband who had already moved to the community as part of the memory support neighborhood.
Shortly after moving into her apartment, she suffered a fall resulting in a hip fracture that transitioned from her new apartment to the rehab unit where she worked tirelessly with the therapy team to regain her independence and ability to walk again. Ultimately, it was deemed best for Emily to transition to the long term care neighborhood for safety and continuity of care as her Parkinson’s progresses. Though disappointing, Emily took the change in stride and once again made a positive in a situation where others may have been consumed by grief.
Emily is a delight to know and enjoys the opportunity to participates in activities throughout The neighborhoods at The Culpeper. She says the greatest lesson she’s experienced is creating a new norm in her current reality. While Parkinson may have limited her ability to do many things she formerly enjoyed, she has found beauty in the life she currently leads, the friends she’s made, and the Parkinson’s support community.
The Culpeper
