Susan Jane Hill

1938 - 2021

SAN DIEGO —

Our beloved Mother, Susan Jane Hill, passed away peacefully in early March 2021 with her family at her side. Susan lived an amazing, accomplished life full of love, adventure, and accomplishments.

Susan and sister Linda grew up in the small Central Valley town of Hanford, Calif, (without air conditioning !, as Mom often reminded us).

As a sophomore in High school, Mom moved to Oahu, Hawaii with her family and became a classic island girl, paddling on the Lanikai Outrigger Canoe Club, plus surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and water skiing on Kailua Beach, brah.

Next, Mom moved forward to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she met our cherished deceased Father Robert O. Peterson. Mom and Dad moved back to San Diego, where Susan earned a Masters Degree in English Literature and soon began an illustrious 15-year career teaching English at Orange Glen High School in Escondido.

Since our Father Robert Peterson sadly died so young in 1967, Mom met and married Orange Glen High School Vice Principal David Larson, who loved, adopted, and embraced us kids as he did his own children.

Many former students still say to this day Susan Larson was the toughest—and best— high school teacher they ever had.

Susan’s fearless love of adventure brought her back to Hilo, Hawaii, in 1989, where she and son David lived for many years and founded Hawaii Paradise Farms, which became the United States largest Bird of Paradise cut flower farm.

Susan Hill was brilliant, brave, and optimistic, a credit to her gender and a daily inspiration to her children and all who knew her well.

Mom was a wonderful mother, sister, grandma, and friend. A true woman of the world, Susan displayed dignity, class, and sass until her last gentle breath.

Susan Hill was an avid tennis and bridge player, teacher, reader, and traveler, who still devoted much time and energy to helping our family grow and remain strong. Mom will be missed dearly daily by her children, family, and friends.

Mom was a bon vivant and vigorous traveler, traveling on her own to Cuba (where she successfully singlehandedly repelled two purse snatchers), Bali, Thailand, China, Greece, Turkey, and many more exotic countries.

Susan returned to San Diego in the mid-1990s to meet and marry the love of her life, Navy Lieutenant Commander Hughes Hill.

Susan and Hughes Hill had a wonderful 20-year marriage (never had an argument—so said her dearly departed husband Hughes).

Susan and Hughes enjoyed a glorious life together playing tennis, bridge, social life, and dining as members of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.

Susan and Hughes enjoyed living and entertaining in their lovely home in Carmel Valley, tending to their spoiled dogs Bogie, Baron, and Alice, and building a beautiful family vacation home in Loreto, Baja, California.

Susan is survived by daughter Royce Campbell (John) of La Jolla, sons, David Larson (Auy) of La Mision, Baja, and Mark Larson (Mary) of Valley Center.

Grandchildren include: Ryan Larson (Michelle), Caroline and Zane Larson, Ryan Campbell (Kim), and Lindsay Closson (Brady).

Our mother Susan Hill’s ashes will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Hughes Hill at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com