Our History
Since 1998, our little red brick bungalow on a quiet street in Richmond Hill, Ontario has offered comfort to residents in their final weeks of life and bereavement support to their families. Hill House Hospice is a special place filled with love, hugs, tears, and laughter.
Hill House is built on a one-acre lot. In addition to the three bedrooms, it includes a fully equipped kitchen, a large living room and a dining room. The beautiful gardens and landscape are maintained by The Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society as well as the City of Richmond Hill.
The Hill Family
The house was originally the Hill family home in the 1950s where Shirley, Harry and their parents, Gladys Geraldine (Legge) and Percy Clinton Hill, lived. Many remember Harry as a respected local businessman whose father brought the first Canadian Tire to Richmond Hill directly across the street from 36 Wright Street — an enterprise that served generations. The Hill home was sold by Shirley and purchased by the Town of Richmond Hill and used for municipal offices. About 10 years later, as the community grew and services expanded, hospice care advocate Ann Gold worked with the Town to reimagine the Hill family home as a hospice. In 1998, the Town graciously allowed the property to be transformed into a place dedicated to compassionate end-of-life care for families in need.
Ann Gold, Founder
The late Ann Gold took Hill House Hospice from an abstract idea to a bricks-and-mortar reality.
Working as a nurse, she was a passionate palliative care advocate. She was a pioneer who had the insight to see the need in the community. She felt that there were always people with life-limiting illnesses who required a special place because they were alone, had no caregivers or just couldn’t stay home. A home-like setting was much more preferred than a hospital.
Ann’s credibility as an activist, a community volunteer and a fundraiser, coupled with her love of people, determination and persuasive personality, allowed for the creation of the hospice. The Town leased the house in January 1998. Hill House Hospice was born from her vision of bringing residential hospice care to Richmond Hill. Former Executive Director Ann-Marie Dean, Dr. Brian Berger and many volunteers were also instrumental in that vision.