Obituary of Naomi Rita Miller Hill
Naomi Rita Miller Hill died in the early morning hours of September 19.
She is survived by her daughter, Cordelia, son-in-law Christopher, and beloved granddaughters Gwen and Glory, as well as her brother Allan, his wife Lorraine and their daughter Jenny.
Daughter of Ruth and Ruby Miller, Naomi was born in 1931 in Brooklyn and spent her early life studying piano at Juilliard as well as modern dance, but her true calling was education.
In 1952, she married Rodman Grant Hill, the love of her life. For many summers after, the two worked together at Camp Willoway. Pioneers in integrated marriage in the 1950s, they joined the March on Washington and always worked for equality. They made their home in Greenwich Village a place for friendship, music, humor and hospitality. In 1969, Rod and Naomi welcomed the birth of their daughter, Cordelia, and moved to Larchmont, NY where they continued the tradition of folk music gatherings for the remaining sixty-five years of their marriage, until Rod’s death in 2017.
Throughout her career, Naomi fought for child-centered education with the firm belief we must meet children where they live. She pushed through administrative, political, and cultural barriers in service of the students she loved and respected. Naomi paved the way for many others’ careers in education through a storied career at PS 87, and then later at Columbia Teachers’ College, NYU School of Education, Dalton School, Mackay School, Quarles School, and finally at Central School in Larchmont NY.
Known for her fantastic taste, Naomi had a passion for clothing and appreciation for aesthetics she inherited from her seamstress grandmother. She had many other passions and in her later decades gave much of her time leading children’s programs at Larchmont Public Library and serving on the Mamaroneck Human Rights Committee.
The Derhammer-Hill family will sit a secular shiva at their home at Stoneyside Drive on Friday from 7-9pm, Saturday 2-5pm and 7-9pm, and Sunday from 12-3pm. A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, November 9 at Fox Funeral Home in Larchmont.
Gifts in her memory can be made to any of the many organizations she supported, including Friends of the Larchmont Library, the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation, Planned Parenthood of NY. Smiles Without Borders, and the Heifer Foundation.