Obituary of Mary Jane Hill Trowbridge

Mary Jane Hill Trowbridge passed away January 20, 2015 at Villa Fontana in San Jose, California. Born December 23, 1916 in Columbia, Missouri, she was the daughter of Gertrude Lyon Hill and Robert E. Lee (Bob) Hill. Her father was the Director of Alumni Activities at the University of Missouri from 1921-1944. She was educated in the public schools of Columbia, attended Stanford University one year, graduated from the University of Missouri in 1939. As an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority she was awarded the Amy B. Onken Award. Following graduation she established a new chapter of Pi Beta Phi at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1940 she married her childhood sweetheart, Leigh M. Trowbridge, in Columbia. He had received a Second Lieutenant's Commission in the United States Army upon graduation from the University of Missouri. He was called to active duty one month following the declaration of World War II in 1941. He served in the Central Pacific Theater until the end of World War II in 1945. He was called back to active duty during the Korean War, serving as Commander of the 6230th Receiving Station at Fort Ord, California. The family lived in Monterey, California, during this time. The Trowbridges settled in Los Altos, California, in 1952. After having raised her three children Mrs. Trowbridge earned her teaching credential from San Jose State University. She taught Social Studies at Kennedy Junior High School in Cupertino for twenty years until she retired in 1980. She and her husband built a second home in Sierra County, California, where they loved entertaining their family and friends. They treasured the beauty of the rivers, lakes and mountains of the area, which the Sierra County Land Trust seeks to preserve. During these retirement years she was especially fond of tracing her family history, tending her flower garden and being with her loving family. In recent years she volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto. She was a member of the Conscious Living Center, El Palo Alto Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Palo Alto Chapter of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, a former member of Friends of Filoli, a Life member of the University of Missouri Alumni Association, the State Historical Society of Missouri and a Life member of the California Retired Teachers Association. In 1961 she became a member of the first Auxiliary of the new El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California. Her beloved husband of sixty-four years preceded her in death on June 28, 2004 and her sister Virginia Lee Hill on July 31, 1995. She is survived by her children Leigh M. (Pete) Trowbridge, Jr., (Cameron) of Los Altos, Reverend Jane Hill Beach of Campbell, California, and Judith Lyon Oswald (Paul) of El Dorado Hills, California. Also surviving are her grandchildren Todd Beach, Paul Trowbridge, Laura Jane Beach Barrera, Kimberly Trowbridge, Melissa Oswald and Jill Oswald. In addition, nine great grandchildren survive: Breeanna Beach, Justin Beach Martinez, Brandon Leigh Beach, Jordan Jane Beach, Caleb Barrera, Megan Trowbridge, Emily Trowbridge, Zachary Trowbridge and Lyla Trowbridge. Also surviving are two step grandchildren, Scott Engbretson and Anne Engbretson Shachal and three step great grandchildren, Eric, Kyle and Ryan Shachal. Step great grandchild Curtis Engbretson was deceased December 27, 2007. A Celebration of Life will be held at Spangler Mortuary, 399 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA on Friday, February 6 at 1:00 PM with a reception immediately following at the Elk's Club, 4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. If you wish, a gift in Jane's memory may be made to the Sierra County Land Trust, PO Box 404, Sierra City, CA 96125, or to the organization of your choice. Remembrance cards may be sent to Judi Oswald, 4469 Brisbane Circle, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762.




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