The Women of the Year award is part of an archdiocesan recognition which honors women chosen from each parish in the Atlanta archdiocese. The honorees are recognized at a special Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Atlanta at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Buckhead. This year's special celebration with the newly named Archbishop will take place on Feb. 19.

The women's guild changed the way of choosing the top women this year and involved the entire parish, rather than just the group itself. Nominations were open for all women of the parish and the parish at large voted to choose the winner.

"I am very honored to be chosen," Hill said. "I feel there are others more worthy than I."

In addition to volunteering as the parish kitchen coordinator, which involves all the purchasing and keeping a kitchen for a family of over 650 in order, Hill has other ministries in the parish.

She is a eucharistic minister to the sick where she takes communion and visits the shut-in members of the Church, and serves as co-president of the Golden Threads, the parish senior group. She also is an active member of the social committee.

Hill has been one of the two coordinators of the annual parish rummage sale for the past several years, along with Donna Arganetto, who also was nominated for this year's award.

The Hills will celebrate 45 years of marriage this June and are the parents of two boys living in New York and Florida. They have seven grandchildren. Husband John is retired from Delta after a 31-year career as an aircraft mechanic.

"I am just so excited that she won," said Adele Spence, former winner of the award. "She works so hard keeping up the kitchen and everything else she does."

Joyanne Tregear, president of the women's guild who sponsors the award annual for the parish, added, "We are so fortunate to have her."

The Catholic Church of St. Gabriel is at 152 Antioch Road just south of the intersection of Highway 92 south at Antioch Road. Father Jimmy Adams is pastor. For additional information about the Catholic community, call the parish office, 770-461-0492.