Gwendolyne Maria Hillier

Gwen Hillier passed away peacefully on the morning of August 20, 2026 in Roseville, California. She was blessed to see her granddaughter, Megan, and was thrilled to have her grandson, Tim, his wife, Cassie and all 7 of their children here. Her youngest great-grandson was here with them, and she got to hold Gordon for a long time. She kept telling us that now she had held every single one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also so happy to have had a special visit with her great granddaughter, Analisa. She had family with her when she took her steps into eternity.

Gwendolyne Maria Hillier was the daughter of Maxine Lindauer and Frederick Hillier, born on July 30,1945 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Being the first grandchild, Gwen grew up being loved and doted on by many but especially her grandmother and grandfather, Verda Mae Bridges Lindauer(Nana), and Herbert Loyd Lindauer(Pappy Loyd). Gwen grew up in Oklahoma surrounded by her big Oakie family as she referred to them. She was especially close to other family members, Aunt (Uncle) Jeri, Uncle Don and his wife, Aunt Jackie, and played the little mother to many of her younger cousins. She remained close to so many throughout the years even after moving to California. It was at this time in California that she located her dad, and at 16 years old, established a life-long relationship with him. He was an active part of her life until his passing on June 25th, 1992. She was amazing at keeping connected to her family and friends right up until the last couple of days prior to her death. She was honored to have filled the role of matriarch to the Lindauer family the last several years. 

Gwen and her cousin, Francis, were very close throughout their lives. There are many stories of their lives growing up together from lead pipes to scratchy dresses, and Pik Nik shoestring potatoes to Hillier’s Home for the Hopeless. The jokes and laughter were a major part of their relationship. Most importantly, they were always there for each other, but not just for the fun times, but also those times when life was hard. Gwen was devastated when she found out that Francis unexpectedly passed away on December 14, 1992.

In 1965 she met James Rather, and on June 16th, 1966 she gave birth to their daughter, Lisa Faye Rather. Gwen affectionately told her family that she was meant to be a mom and Lisa was her life. As a single mom, she raised Lisa and provided her with many different opportunities to excel in life. She especially supported Lisa in her love of music, waiting many hours for her to finish her flute lessons and attending all of her performances over the years. She always welcomed all of Lisa's friends, becoming a second mom to some. She was also the local go to “driver’s instructor”, helping many teens prepare to get their driver's license. She continually dedicated all aspects of her life to her daughter with it being the two of them against the world.

Gwen worked at many jobs as a young adult, but in 1970 she began her job as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office. She received several commendations and awards over the years. She was loved by all of her patrons, and built some special and long lasting friendships with those she worked with as well as those she delivered mail to. In June 2001 she finally retired after 31 years and 8 months of service. Those last 8 months were always strongly emphasized by her.

After her retirement she moved to Roseville, California with Lisa's family. She enjoyed spending full-time with her grandchildren, and built many new memories with them over the last 25 years. One of her greatest joys was becoming a great-grandma when Tim and Cassie had their first baby, Arthur. Since then she has been blessed with 11 more great-grandchildren with the youngest being born last February who she met for the first time in her final days. She never went anywhere that she didn't tell everyone about all of her grandbabies, and they were always impressed that she knew all of their names and how old they are. She also kept pictures near by to access them at a moments notice on her phone and tablet. 

Gwen is survived by her only child Lisa and her husband Lee. She is also survived by her three grandchildren and their spouses, Tim Bradford (Cassie), Megan Mackey (Brian), Benjamin Bradford and her beloved 12 great-grandchildren who she always listed in birth order, Arthur, Ethan, Camilla, Eliza, Analisa, Emerie, Walter, Cordelia, Tucker, Myles, Hudson, and Gordon. Also by James Edwin Smith and Jessica Megan Smith, the children of Francis. Gwen was preceded in death by her grandparents. Herbert Loyd and Verda Mae Bridges Lindauer, her parents Frederick Henry Hillier and Maxine Faye Lindauer, her younger brother Max Lee Israel, her aunts, Ellen Mae Lindauer Talley, Lillian Jeri Lindauer Deathridge Allen, Jackie Lindauer, her uncles Rodney Loyd Lindauer and Donald Rex Lindauer, and her beloved cousin Francis Anne Talley Smith.

Gwen's final resting place will be with Lisa and Lee upon their passing in the future.

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