When Lee and Brenda Hill reached their golden years, they decided there had to be a better way to while away their days than playing golf. “After catching up on all the household chores that I’d been telling my wife for years I would do, I looked through the paper and decided to volunteer,” Lee says. An Army veteran and retired civil engineer, he soon got involved with Snowline Hospice, first in bereavement counseling and later doing in-home care. “It’s a joy to be able to help the patients and their families,” Lee says. “I get more out of it than I give to it.” Like her husband, Brenda is also passionate about giving back. For over three decades, she’s been a volunteer at Marshall Medical Center. In addition, she helps out at Snowline in an administrative capacity. “When my father died, we didn’t have hospice,” she shares. “It would have made his passing much more comfortable. We should all be able to do that.” 

The Hills can also frequently be seen lending at hand at the Upper Room Dining Hall, a nonprofit that provides free meals to those in need. For these and other efforts, the couple received the 2015 Seniors of the Year Award from the El Dorado County Commission on Aging. The Hills, however, remain humble about their accomplishments and want to encourage other retired people to get involved in outreach activities. “Once you retire, there are so many things you can do,” Lee urges. “Just pick one you really like.”

 — Amber Foster 

Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?       

Lee: Be kinder to friends and family and especially strangers.

Brenda: Be aware of others’ feelings.

Q: What’s your biggest pet peeve? 

Lee: People who are older and think they are entitled to be rude.

Brenda: Rudeness.

Q: Biggest life inspirations? 

Lee: My high school algebra teacher.

Brenda: My mother and father.

Q: Best words of wisdom you’ve received?

Lee: If you are going to do a job, do it right.

Brenda: Look for the good in all people.