Obituary of Hiller, Mollie J.

Hiller, Mollie Jo Ann Kissner Jo Ann was one of five children born to Lucy and Louie Kissner of Celina, Texas. She was born November 29, 1935 in Dallas, Texas. In 1951 the family moved to Dallas where Jo Ann graduated with honors from Hillcrest High School (1954) where she was known for her leadership in many organizations including editor of the yearbook. She attended the University of Texas and completed her senior year at Southern Methodist University graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In August 1957 Jo Ann married Eli Hiller of New York City. Jo Ann taught Spanish in Dallas at Thomas Jefferson High School from 1957 to 1960. As a result of corporate transfers, the Hillers moved to Phoenix, Arizona followed by Atlanta, Georgia and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. During the next several years they also lived in Rome, Italy, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Tokyo, Japan, returning to Cherry Hill where they lived until 2007 when they returned to Texas (Carrollton). While in Cherry Hill, Jo Ann was an active member of ORT, the Organization for Rehabilitation through Training, serving as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Region for two years, after which she was elected Philadelphia Regional President of ORT. While in office, she raised more than one million dollars for ORT. Thereafter and until her retirement Jo Ann was a professional fundraiser for two Philadelphia universities; Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania and St. Joseph's University. She is survived by her husband, Eli Hiller, daughter Sharon (Jay) Strauss of Bainbridge Island, Washington, son Michael Hiller of South Jersey, son Jeffrey (Bobbi) of Southern California, grandchildren, Josh and Taylor Strauss, Chase Hiller (South Jersey), and Gavin Hiller (Southern California), sisters Ettie Weinberg (Melvin) of Dallas, Ruth Kalmin of Richardson, Hilda Greenberg (Alan) of San Diego, brother Michael Kissner (Sharon) of Dallas, brother-in-law Jack Hiller (Debbie) of Monsey, New York, and sister-in-law Rochelle Kedar (Yisrael) of Ra'anana, Israel, and many nieces and nephews. Jo Ann will be remembered as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Oct. 9, at 3pm at Sparkman Hillcrest Cemetery with Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to ORT America (www.ORTamerica.org) or the National Kidney Foundation(www.nkft.org).