Sandra Ponde

Sandra "Sue" (Hill) Ponde - wife, loving mother, grandmother and retired pet rescue superwoman - passed away at home February 7, 2025, at the age of 80.

She was born in Hillsboro, Texas on April 18, 1944, to Colonel (Retired) Benjamin H. Hill and Frances Harper Hill. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joe Hill, on January 15, 1989.

Sue was an Army brat and lived all over the world due to her father's military service. She froze as a tot in Japan and lived in France in her teens, as well as Hillsboro, Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey.

She graduated from Paris American High School in Paris, France in 1962, and attended the University of Maryland in Munich. After moving back to the United States, she started a lengthy career as a secretary. One of her first jobs was at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Sue and Erich met in Paris, France while attending high school. They were married in 1967, a few years after they returned stateside. They had two daughters - Noelle while Erich was in Army training in North Carolina and Carole while he was in military service in Vietnam.

The family moved to Hillsboro in 1979, and she began working with her Aunt Merle at Lefevre Insurance, then at Cercon and Flowers Construction from which she retired.

Sue enjoyed a good book, British comedies, anything about history, loved all animals (barring snakes or worms), Coca Cola from the glass bottles only and loved antiques. She used to tell stories of how she traveled across the country on epic girl trips in search of antiques with her beloved Aunt Margaret. They always had a great time.

Upon her retirement from an office setting, her real passion began - animal rescue. She started volunteering at Hill County Paw Pals in 2011, working with many other rescue organizations in Texas and then the City Pound. Sue put as much love and compassion int caring for these animals as she did her family. We are so very proud of her. We couldn't have asked for a better mother, ever so loving, thoughtful and supportive. She simply was our biggest cheerleader.

Sue leaves behind her husband of fifty-seven years, Erich Ponde; two daughters, Noelle Hackert and husband, Chris and Carole Neal and husband, Jackie. She will be missed by her five grandchildren; Jaclyn, Justin, Tyler, Lauren and Zoë; as well as eleven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to volunteer your time at your local shelter, donate food, blankets and towels, and foster or adopt if you are looking for a new furry member to complete your family. She made it her life's mission to make all animals feel safe and loved.

You may also send a donation in her memory to a local pet rescue, such as Paw Pals at; https://hcpawpals.org/donate-to-paw-pals. Or Drowzy Dog in Covington at; https://www.drowzydawgrescue.org/index.php/contact/.

Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date.