Cortnie Hilliard

On May 8th, 2022, Cortnie Hilliard passed the way she had lived; on her own terms. She fought a valiant battle with her own body for decades before choosing to discontinue the fight when struck ill with pneumonia. Either decision would be considered brave, and her family respects her decision.

Cortnie was born April 26, 1974, to her mother Janet, and father Craig Hilliard in Salt Lake City, UT where she lived her entire life. Blessed with a growing extended family she had no shortage of cousins to come up with who she cherished throughout her life. While most who knew her briefly may be more acquainted with her cantankerous disposition, she was very loving and protective of those close to her. She was as passionate about protecting those she loved as she was about art, which she made of everything around her. Her gift of creativity started when she was young, earning her awards for her art throughout high school. Although she never made a career of her art there is no shortage of her creativity in the lives of those who loved her. She was great with paints but was able to do things with colored pencils that would impress any of the greats. There were hints of her creativity in everything she touched, from her accessory choices to the way she would decorate things she owned - changing them to suit her personality, which was as tender as it was wild. Quite the prankster, she gave her sister and parents a run for their money growing up with everything from fake wounds to horror movie-level theatrics. In her later years, she became an integral part of her nephew’s life. She watched him every day and built a bond that would last a lifetime. When he grew up she was blessed with her daughter Cassady, who she prized above all else in this world. They loved spending time together and set aside time each day for watching The Price is Right. She was preceded in death by her beloved pet cat, Morgan, and is survived by her parents, Janet and Craig Hilliard; her daughter, Cassady Hilliard; her sister Ashley Loya (Paul); her nephew, Alexander Hilliard (Asheby), niece Kaz Loya; and her best friend, Terree Myers (Don), who was just as much family to her as everyone else.
Private family services will be held.