B.C. family mourns matriarch who died after fire forced her out of her home on Christmas Day
An Indigenous family in Prince Rupert, B.C., is heartbroken after the loss of their beloved grandmother and matriarch, Juanita Hill. Juanita, 71, was a survivor of the residential school system and a pillar in her community. She tragically passed away after a fire forced her to evacuate her apartment on Christmas Day.
Juanita’s husband, Murray Hill, fondly remembers their over 50 years together and the impact she had on their family and friends. Despite her struggles with pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that affected her breathing and mobility, Juanita always showed hospitality and love to those around her.
The Christmas Day fire at the Sherbrooke Apartments left nearly 100 residents displaced. Juanita had to be carried down the stairs by an RCMP officer as her husband wheeled her to safety. The family was then temporarily housed in a hotel, where tragedy struck when Juanita fell and hit her head in the bathtub.
The Prince Rupert Regional Hospital’s emergency room was closed the day Juanita fell, leading paramedics to rush her over an hour away to the Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace. Despite receiving the best care possible, Juanita’s condition worsened, and she eventually passed away surrounded by her family’s love and prayers.
The community mourns the loss of Juanita Hill, a woman who touched the lives of many with her kindness and strength. A memorial will be held to celebrate her life and legacy. Northern Health and the Health Ministry have offered their condolences to the family and emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate staffing in emergency departments to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Hill family is grateful for the outpouring of support from friends and loved ones during this difficult time. Juanita’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, a beacon of resilience and love in the face of adversity.
