Joan Hill, UNMC’s retired director of student financial services, who, during her career, helped students navigate financial issues, died July 22, 2024. She was 69.
Hill retired in 2022 after having spent 30 years at UNMC.
She joined UNMC in 1992 as a secretary in the financial aid office. While working full time, she continued her education and took classes through Metro Community College, and eventually Bellevue University. She went on to finish her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. When she retired from UNMC in March 2022, she was director of student financial services.
During her career, she helped many students navigate their student accounts. Colleagues said she was thoughtful and considerate of each student’s story and needs, and went above and beyond to help a student.
“She was an amazing person and a good friend,” said UNMC’s Julie Bouchard, manager of General Accounting. “She was the kindest, most generous person, always taking time to help and listen to students.”
Hill also was a creative thinker, Bouchard said, which could make for some interesting conversations between the two friends and colleagues. She was an outside-the-box thinker, which was great for the role she was in, Bouchard said.
The Denver, Colorado, native and 1973 Omaha Central High School graduate enjoyed traveling, scuba diving and bowling. In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her dogs, Willow and Winston, and loved to knit, sew and be with family. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and was undergoing chemotherapy.
Hill is survived by her son, Matthew; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother and sisters.
Services for Hill were Tuesday (July 30) at West Center Chapel in Omaha; memorials may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association.