Roanoke College remembers Mary Crockett Hill

By Kaylen Ayres '25

Mary Crockett Hill ’91 once described herself as obsessed with dreams. The poet, teacher and director of Roanoke College’s literary magazine would end up devoting her life to exploring the hidden depths of the human experience — and helping countless students pursue their own dreams along the way. 

Hill, an assistant professor of English, died on Sept. 23 after a battle with cancer. She leaves a legacy that helped shape not just Roanoke, but the wider community, where her career included serving as director of the Salem Museum from 1993 to 2002. 

Hill, who grew up in Salem, earned her bachelor’s degree from Roanoke in 1991 with the honor of being her graduating class’s valedictorian. Fintel Library recently found her valedictory address and digitized it. She went on to receive her master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Virginia. 

In addition to teaching at her alma mater, she took the helm of the Roanoke Review, a national literary magazine which publishes creative works highlighting both new and established authors across genres. 

She was an accomplished author in her own right, penning works such as “A Theory of Everything,” which won the Autumn House Poetry Prize; “If You Return Home with Food,” winner of the Bluestem Poetry Award; and co-authoring the history volume “A Town by the Name of Salem: The Past in Pictures.” She was nominated multiple times for the Pushcart Prize and the Virginia Book of the Year. 

"Mary was truly the spirit of generosity and creativity, and she shared her gifts with everyone who was fortunate enough to encounter her,” Wendy Larson-Harris, professor of English, said. “From the Salem Museum to Brain Injury Support Services, to designing and directing the new Publishing and Editing concentration, and just a fun hallway chat, Mary consistently made the world a better place. We all will miss our teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend." 

Hill is survived by her husband, Stewart ‘88; her children, Isabelle ’23, Samson ’26, Crockett ’26 and Gabriel; and her parents-in-law, Dr. C. William “Bill” Hill Jr., the Henry H. and Trudye Fowler Professor of Public Affairs, Emeritus, and Mary Lou Hill. 

A memorial is being planned on campus for later this fall. Hill’s family Celebration of Life will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at College Lutheran Church in downtown Salem. The Rev. David Drebes ’05, pastor of College Lutheran Church, will officiate. A reception will follow from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Salem Museum, 801 E. Main St.  

Update: The English and Communication Studies Department will host a Celebration of Life on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2-4 p.m. in the Wortman Ballroom, Colket Center. Students, alumni, faculty and staff are welcome.