Amanda J. Gatica


Amanda Jean (Hill) Gatica, born August 27, 1983 to Kevin and Belinda Hill, passed away January 15, 2021 after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.  Amanda was born in Eaton Rapids where she was raised, attended school and graduated in 2002.  She went on to work for Walmart in Charlotte for the next 17 years and spent the last 12 of those years in the pharmacy, working as their best pharmacy technician.  Her greatest joy in life was being Carlijean’s mom. At family gatherings, Amanda was always the one who wanted to play some sort of game, usually winning because of her competitive nature. The family joked that she was the biggest kid.  Amanda was always late to everything! She was the cool aunt/mom, always wanting to go out and do fun things with the kids, such as visit the zoo, paint pottery, have sleepovers, go to water parks, or the movie theater.  You could say Amanda was a hoarder of yarn!  She loved to crochet.   Amanda was always finding new patterns to try and new colors of yarn to buy. She married the love of her life, Juan, on May 7, 2016. Her loss will be felt deeply, and she will be missed dearly. 
She is preceded in death by her grandmother Carol Jean Wright and grandfather Paul Anderson.  She is survived by her parents; daughter, Carlijean Benson; husband, Juan Gatica; sisters Ashley (Evan) Gruesbeck and Brittney Hill; nieces and nephew, Evelyn and Liam Gruesbeck, and Olivia Adkins;  In-laws, Juan Gatica Sr., Ofelia and Randy Glasgow; sisters-in-law, Jessica (Loren) Seaton, Jolene Glasgow; brother-in-law Ricky Glasgow; and nieces Kelsey, Alysia and Maya; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel. The family received friends at the funeral home on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to her daughter, Carlijean Benson, in care of Ashley Gruesbeck.  To share memories or leave condolences please visit SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.