Hermione Hill-Logan, an educator, mother, and the supportive wife of the late Rev. Canon Thomas Wilson Stearly Logan Sr., the oldest serving African-American priest in the Episcopal Church, USA, died on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. She was 101.
She was born in Manassas, Va. on March 16, 1911, the second of six daughters, to Dr. Leslie Pinckney Hill, a renowned educator, author, poet, dramatist, community leader and first president of Cheyney State University, and his wife, Jane Ethel Clark, a teacher and counselor at Tuskegee Institute with Booker T. Washington. She was described in her late father’s poem, “Melrose at Christmas” as “Hermione with a heart of gold.”
Hill-Logan graduated from West Chester High School in West Chester, Pa., Cheyney State College with a Bachelor’s degree and Columbia University with a Master’s degree in home economics in 1929, 1933 and 1939, respectively. In 1933, Hill-Logan began teaching home economics at Frederick Douglass Junior High School and worked as the school dietitian for more than 39 years.
“She was truly a class act,” said niece Anita Trotman. “She was an educated, intelligent, loving Christian woman. She was concerned about the community and the quality of life for all people, particularly those in underserved communities. She was reciting her father’s poetry up until the end.”
In 1938, Hill-Logan married the love of her life, the late Father Logan, at St. Simon of Cyrenian Church in South Philadelphia. Their ceremony was officiated by the groom’s father, the late Rev. John R. Logan Sr. and his brother, the late Rev. John R. Logan Jr.
Father Logan died on May 2, 2012. They were married for 72 years. The couple had one son, the late Rev. Thomas Logan Jr., who died in 2011.
“Their love story was just remarkable,” Trotman said. “In their times, marriages were made to last. They knew each for five years prior to getting married, because Father Logan was in seminary. She waited for him. During their marriage, they supported and loved each other. She ran a lovely home and raised a son with love. Family meant everything to her.”
In her spare time, Hill-Logan liked painting. She served as president of the social group Las Simpaticas and was a member of the Frontier’s Womens Yokettes. She was a long-time member and president of St. Michael’s Guild at Calvary Episcopal Northern Liberties.
She is survived by her sisters Mary Tucker, 95, of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. and Elleanor Valentine, 104, of Washington D.C.; five sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law, five grandchildren, four great-grand children, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
