Merrilee Marcia Hilts

Merrilee's Celebration of Life will be held 1:00pm-4:00pm, Sunday, February 4, 2024 at the Milwaukie Elk's Lodge #142. See below for more information.

Merrilee Marcia Hilts died at home, surrounded by loved ones, January 10, 2024, at 51 years of age. She will be remembered as a loving daughter, partner, friend, and ‘fur-mom’.

Merrilee was born July 4, 1972, in Burton-on-Trent, England, to Raymond Franklin Hilts and Jean Laura Oswalt. She graduated from The de Ferrers Academy in Staffordshire and would later attend Clackamas Community College in Oregon.

Merrilee served in the United States Army from 1992-1997. She was deployed to Germany for a time and rose to the rank of Corporal. She received several decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal and parachutist badge.

After serving her country, she worked at Hechinger, HQ, or Builder's Square. In 1999, she went to work for The Home Depot and would stay there for 24 years. She was a kitchen designer there at the time of her passing. When not working, Merrilee liked spending time with family and starting DIY projects.

In 2014, Merrilee met her partner, Hope Gabel. They shared nine years together and enjoyed going to concerts and music festivals. In one of their travels, they made a special trip to England in 2018.

She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Hilts in 1989. Merrilee is survived by her mother, Jean Oswalt; partner, Hope Gabel; and many more family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Merrilee's name may be made to the Oregon Humane Society at https://www.oregonhumane.org/ .