Drusilla W. Hillman-Richard

   Drusilla Woodruff Hillman-Richard, of Grand Rapids, died October 9, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.  Dru was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Sally Hillman, her husband, Joseph Richard and her brother, Clay Hillman.  She is survived by her children, Diane and Jason Richard, her sister-in-law, Dotti (Gary) Marsiglia, and by her sisters, Sally (Jerry) Powell, Gail Wall, and Wendy Barton, and her brothers Terry (Diane) McRoberts and Jerry McRoberts, and other family, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

    Dru was born in Chicago, Illinois and spent her childhood and youth in Grand Rapids.  She attended Eastern Orthopedic School and graduated from East Grand Rapids High School and Grand Valley State University.  She was a lifelong and devoted member of Fountain Street Church, of which her parents and grandparents were active and supportive members.

    Dru regularly inspired comments, such as, “She turns a cloudy day sunny.”  She smiled every day of her life, and she routinely remarked how lucky she was.  Her family and friends felt lucky to know her.

    Dru worked as a Peer Consultant for Disability Advocates.  She was a member of the board of the Comprehensive Therapy Center, as well as a member of the Junior League of Grand Rapids.  As a member of Leadership Grand Rapids, she, with the support of other members, completed a “ropes” course.  Dru’s courage and ability to take risks led her to begin wall climbing, where she worked very determinedly at developing her skills, eventually being able to climb a wall from bottom to top, twenty times in a row.

    Before Dru conquered her first bout of pancreatic cancer, she wanted to go dog-sledding in northern Minnesota, so she engaged a personal trainer twice a week to strengthen herself for that adventure.  She was able to go dog-sledding again, where despite her cerebral palsy, she rode standing up on the back of the sled, not sitting down wrapped in blankets.

    Dru’s family extends special thanks to her Care Manager, Carol Ann Deneke of Elder Advocates in Montague, as well as to Dr. Kenneth Krajewski and Dru’s caregivers at Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center and Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods.  A memorial gathering for Dru’s family and friends will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Comprehensive Therapy Center, 2505 Ardmore, SE, Grand Rapids, or a charity of your choice.

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