Corinne Hillman, 98;
Teacher, Cooperstown
Cotillion Mainstay
COOPERSTOWN – Corinne Hillman, 98, a retired teacher known to a generation of Cooperstown Area eighth graders for teaching them to ballroom dance for the annual Cotillion at The Otesaga, passed away on Friday Feb. 15, 2019, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing.
She was born on Jan. 1, 1921, and grew up in New York City. She attended Hunter College and New York University, and earned her master’s degree and teaching certificate in elementary education.
Corinne married Harry Hillman in January 1941 in New York City. Later they moved to Great Neck on Long Island where they raised their family.
She is survived by a daughter, Kathi Hillman McElroy (Hugh) of Port Jefferson and a son-in-law, Harlan D. Alpern, M.D., of Cooperstown. She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Micah (Sarah) Alpern of Mountain View, Calif., and Rebeka Seelinger (Brian) of Erie, Pa., as well as her four great-grandchildren, Bobby, Emma, Hazel and James.
For many years Corinne taught third and fourth grades in the Manhasset Public School in Manhasset on Long Island. Following her retirement from teaching she moved to Cooperstown in 1988.
While living in Cooperstown, she worked in the education department at the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a museum guide for children visitors, was on the Board of Glimmerglass Opera.
In her honor, the Corinne Hillman Award is given each year at the Cotillion to the 8th grade young lady and gentleman who show an aptitude for the new dance steps.
Corinne was devoted to her family and had many friends in Cooperstown and across the country. She had a long, active, and successful life and will be missed by her family and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, Harry Hillman, who died March 25, 1976, their daughter, Sandee Hillman Alpern, who died Jan. 10, 2019, and both of her siblings.
Burial will be in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Flushing, Queens.
For those that wish to honor Corinne’s life and memory, a donation could be made to the Cooperstown Cotillion, c/o Cooperstown Central School, 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.