Harriet Hillhouse

Harriet A. (Olson) Hillhouse, age 90, went to spend Christmas with her beloved husband and best friend Andy on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at The Residence of Presque Isle Bay. She was preceded in death by her father Walfred G. Olson, mother Catherine (Songer) Olson and her husband Andrew C. Hillhouse, who passed away in December of 2021.

Harriet was born and raised in Bradford and came to Erie in the early 1950’s to attend beauty school. She shared an apartment and worked as a beautician at Trask’s with her two best friends Shirley and Patty. She met Andy during that time and they were inseparable after then.

She was the most loving mother and grandmother. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was an excellent homemaker and always was proud to keep a spic and span home and boasted that you could “eat off her floors”. Over the years, she enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling, playing cards, hanging out with family and friends and spending time with her Boston Terriers.

Harriet had an artistic flair with a superb eye for detail. She crafted many beautifully knitted, crocheted and ceramic items. Oftentimes, they were made as gifts for her family and friends. She was an amazing home decorator and a talented floral arranger. She had alluring flower gardens at her homes in Harborcreek, North East and Leesburg, FL, each were impeccably maintained. She was the “finisher” and performed all the staining and varnishing for Andy’s expertly crafted woodworking projects.

She is survived by 2 sons - Richard and Donald (Renee) Hillhouse, both of Erie, PA; 2 daughters - Barbara Bish of Tallmadge, Ohio and Betty (Daniel) Davis of White Haven, PA; 8 grandsons - Daniel, Sean, Zachary, Mitchell, Ethan, Evan, Demetrius and Dakota; 2 granddaughters - Alyssa and Noelle; 6 great grandsons - Luca, Blake, Emmett, Austin, Ayden and Xavien; 1 great granddaughter - Bria.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc., Wintergreen, 2532 Norcross Road, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 11 a.m. until the time of service there at 1 p.m. Harriet and Andy will be laid to rest together at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery immediately following the service which will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/BurtonQuinnScott/. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations be sent to Interim HealthCare Hospice, 2206 West 15th Street, Erie, PA 16505.  

The Hillhouse children would like to thank all of the compassionate staff at The Residence of Presque Isle Bay and Interim HealthCare Hospice for the care and love they provided to their parents over the past several years.