Hilary G. Hamilton's Obituary
Hilary Blake Hamilton, 52, of Cornelius, NC died January 29, 2023, at her home, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on November 2, 1970, in Spokane, WA to Wilson Blake and Julie Anne Smith Blake.
Hilary’s sense of adventure, a trait that she shared with Bryce Hamilton, her devoted husband of almost nineteen years, seemed innate at an early age. She spent her early childhood years in what was then known as Zaire (1972-1974), where she curiously explored the burgeoning city and magical African topography. Her tenacity became evident as she once insisted on accompanying her older sister to preschool where she was originally deemed too young. Her passion for nature continued to flourish, when her family eventually settled in Hayden Lake, ID. Throughout the next decade, Hilary enthusiastically explored the natural playground that the mesmerizing Idaho landscape offered.
During her childhood, Hilary developed a passion and talent for running, which continued throughout her life. While earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington and her Masters from Auburn, she was named an all-conference middle-distance runner. Her dedication to the sport and relentless devotion to smashing goals with unbridled optimism garnered Hilary the endearing nickname “Bulldog” from her teammates. She wore it with pride. As a powerful adult athlete, Hilary competed in the famed Iron Man and Alcatraz triathlons as well as the New York City Marathon and she carried that intensity into her remarkable career.
From serving on the team that built the first e-commerce platform for the venerable Levi’s brand to owning her own communications firm for 20+ years, consulting with brands such as Expedia, Hilary’s fervor remained contagious. She made anyone she encountered believe they too could smash goals, be they personal or professional. And that they could do it with a glowing smile, just as she did.
It was that smile, relentless optimism, competitive spirit, and true grit that drew her husband in when they met one afternoon in New York City. Following a bi-coastal courtship, the pair and their family eventually planted roots in Carmel, CA where they could enjoy the mountainous landscape, ocean air, and familial kindness of their neighbors. For the following eight years, Hilary embraced those neighbors as a family with her hallmark light, laughter, and love.
Last year, the family moved to Cornelius, NC, where Hilary continued her years-long fight with metastatic breast cancer. In the face of that battle, she never gave up, she never lost her optimism, and she never relented to the brutality of the disease. She laughed, persisted, nurtured, embraced, and appreciated all that life had to offer through to the end. It should be noted that Hilary Blake Hamilton did not lose her fight against cancer. Because Hilary never lost anything to which she dedicated herself. It is those she leaves behind that have lost, as there will never be another uniquely beautiful source of sunshine, grace, grit, and love as Hilary Blake Hamilton.
Survivors are bountiful, but notably include her husband, Bryce as well as their son, Sawyer and daughters, Rafferty and Hadley, her parents Wilson and Julie Ann, and her siblings, Kira Bird, Reyla Zumhofe and Tesa Gagliardi as well as numerous beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Her brother Christopher Blake, who she loved fiercely, preceded her in death.
A private Celebration of Life service will be held later this summer in Carmel, CA.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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