Longtime La Cañada Flintridge residents Bob and Marian Hiller recently received the Spirit Award at Monte Vista Grove Homes’ annual Founders Gala for their dedication and service to the senior care community.
Founded in 1924, MVGH offers independent living to retired ministers who served the Presbyterian Church for 20 years or more. MVGH, located in Pasadena, also provides assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care to the greater public.
Criteria for the Spirit Award included providing exemplary support and service to the residents of Monte Vista Grove Homes; playing an integral role in its mission and vision; and making a major contribution to the field of senior housing and services. The Hillers meet and exceed all of these requirements, MVGH leadership said.
Bob Hiller had been on the development committee for MVGH for five years and chaired it for three, as well as serving on the Capital Campaign steering committee. Under his leadership and generosity, MVGH raised $4.5 million to build a new wellness center and memory care residence that is more available to the public. Marian Hiller is a frequent visitor to her many close friends at the MVGH community.
“My main contact at MVGH is the people. I have many friends over there and the community takes very good care of them,” she said.
“They each have a servant’s heart and model what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Christ. Bob and Marian continue to volunteer and participate with the annual MVGH pancake breakfast, as well as the store and plant sale event, where they are welcomed as family by residents and staff alike,” MVGH said in its gala program.
In addition to the Hillers’ contributions to MVGH, they’ve also been active at La Cañada Presbyterian Church for 45 years. Bob Hiller has served 21 years with the Presbyterian Church as a member of the session that runs the local church. He did this at LCPC for 12 years in a leadership capacity. Additionally, he organized and participated in 18 annual trips to Mississippi to build homes for Habitat for Humanity.
Marian Hiller served as clerk of the session for 18½ years for the Presbyterian Church.
Said MVGH Chief Executive and Administrator Deborah Herbert: “A legacy is the only lasting thing one can leave behind. Bob and Marian Hiller are servant leaders and have created a legacy at Monte Vista Grove Homes, La Cañada Presbyterian Church and the surrounding communities. We are so grateful to be part of their generous giving of time, talent and treasure.”
“I am very humbled by this award,” Bob Hiller said. “All I wanted to do was help people. That is what I really care about doing — helping people.”
