GUALALA, Calif. – Lela Dow Hilton, 95, passed away peacefully Feb. 23, 2010, in the presence of her children in Kona, Hawaii. A resident of Gualala, Calif., since 1995, she had spent winters in Hawaii for the past several years. Born Sept. 23, 1914, in Millinocket, she was one of eight children born to her parents, Charles and Ann Steeves. Charles Steeves owned and operated Charles Steeves & Sons Plumbing, Millinocket for many decades. After graduating from high school, Lela worked at several jobs in Northern Maine. It was then that she met Gilbert J. Dow. After marriage in 1935, they resided in several eastern and southern states prior to migrating to California during Gilbert’s service in the Navy during World War II. After the war, home again included several eastern and southern states before returning to California and “relatively” settling in Orange County during the boom of the 1950s. Then in 1960, Lela and Gilbert moved to Northern California, making their home in Redding, Lake Shasta, Sacramento, Quincy, and finally Susanville. It was in Susanville, Calif., that Gilbert died in 1962. Lela often worked outside the home in her younger years to supplement the family income. She was quick to make friends in her career, but her family remembers her best as a loving mother and great cook. She possessed a quick wit and a love of adventure and travel. Lela was married to Howard Hilton, in 1966. They lived at various times in Susanville, Calif., San Francisco and Pleasant Hill, Calif. In retirement Lela and Howard moved to Gualala. Howard died after a prolonged illness in 2005. In March 2005, Lela suffered a massive stroke that left her partially paralyzed and her speech impaired. Lela fought back with the help of many loving caregivers in Gualala, Calif., and Hawaii to once again enjoy her home, her friends and her family. She regained the strength to make several more trips to visit friends and family throughout Northern and Southern California, as well as those treasured trips to Hawaii. Her most recent trips were a Thanksgiving a cruise to Mexico with family, a gala Christmas party in Anaheim, Calif., and then a return to Kona, Hawaii. Lela was predeceased by her sister, Helen; and brothers, Harvey, Bob, Ernie, Art, George and Bill. Lela leaves behind four surviving children from her marriage with Gilbert, Elroy G. Dow of Fallon, Nev., Sheila N. Sprinkle of Pittsburg, Mo., Judith M. Carter of Incline Village, Nev., and Phillip J. Dow of Ukiah, Calif. Lela also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. In middle age, Lela took into her home two children, Tracy Myers, then 3 years old, and Richard Myers, then 7 years old. Initially it was day care to help a single father/friend of the family, but then years progressed and nights and weekends were included as the father often worked away from home. From those early years, through high school graduation and to this day, Tracy and Richard Myers also consider Lela their “mom.” In compliance with her wishes, Lela’s remains were cremated in Hawaii. There are no plans for services at this time.
LELA DOW HILTON
