Noelle Bobbe George Collection

SJSU Special Collections & Archives

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

San José State University

One Washington Square

San José, CA 95192-0028

(408) 808-2062

special.collections@sjsu.edu

URL:http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives

Title: Noelle Bobbe George Collection

Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2011-06-28

Contributing Institution: SJSU Special Collections & Archives

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 1.0 Linear foot, 1 Box

Date (inclusive): 1864-2005

Abstract: The Noelle Bobbe George Collection consists of memorabilia collected by San Jose State College alumna Bobbe George (1950) and her mother, Stella Onah Bunch-Hillis (1913). The collection includes normal school documents, teaching certificates, class reunion literature, three-dimensional artifacts, textiles, and a family chronology. This collection is arranged into two series: Series I: Stella Onah Bunch Memorabilia, 1913-1920; Series II: Noelle Bobbe George (Hillis) Memorabilia, 1864-2005.

Creator: Noelle Roberta (Bobbe) Hillis George

Access

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred Citation

Noelle Bobbe George Collection, MSS-2011-06-28, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Toni Nix, November 30, 2011. Finding aid created in Archivists Toolkit. Reviewed by Danelle Moon.

Biographical History

Stella Onah Bunch-Hillis was born in 1892 in Paso Robles, California. She graduated from San Jose State Normal School in 1913 and soon entered the teaching profession. She worked as a grammar school teacher in Paso Robles from 1914 through 1917. She married Harry Hillis and spent more than 30 years making a home in Buttonwillow, California. While raising her children, Wilmar Hillis and Noelle Roberta Hillis (Bobbe), she ran the Kern County Library branch. In 1952, Harry Hillis retired from the General Petroleum Company and the couple moved to Willow Glen in San Jose. Harry Hillis died in 1968. Stella Hillis retired from librarianship at age 70, but she continued to volunteer at the Union School District, where her daughter Bobbe Hillis worked for a short period of time. Stella Hillis died on August 17, 1994 and was survived by her two children, five grand-children, and nine great-grand children. The Stella B. Hillis Scholarship in Library Science was established at San Jose State University, and the Visiting Nurse Association Hospice Memorial Fund was established in her name as well.

Noelle Roberta (Bobbe) George (Hillis) was born in 1928 and grew up in Buttonwillow, California. She graduated from San Jose State College in 1950, and was an active member of both Delta Phi Epsilon—a National Kindergarten-Primary organization, and the National Social Sorority. She taught first and second grade at Union School in San Jose, California. She married Glen George in 1954 and together they raised three children, and have six grand-children. Both she and her husband have been active in community service, supporting Hope Rehabilitation Services and Packard Children’s Hospital. In addition, they are active participants and supportive of SJSU programs in the Athletic Department, College of Business, and the School of Library and Information Science. George most recently served as a committee member on the 50th reunion of the Class of 1950 in 2000.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Noelle Bobbe George Collection consists of memorabilia collected by San Jose State College alumna Bobbe George (1950) and her mother, Stella Onah Bunch-Hillis (1913). The collection includes normal school documents, teaching certificates, class reunion literature, three-dimensional artifacts, textiles, and a family chronology.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series: Series I: Stella Onah Bunch Memorabilia, 1913-1920; Series II: Noelle Bobbe George (Hillis) Memorabilia, 1864-2005.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Education, Higher -- California -- San José

San Jose State College -- History

San Jose' State Normal School -- Memorabilia

Universities and colleges--California

Series I: Stella Onah Bunch Memorabilia 1913-1920

Physical Description

1 Box

Scope and Content of Collection

This series consists of memorabilia collected by class of 1913 alumna, Stella Onah Bunch-Hillis. The contents include a class notebook, her diploma, graduation class ceremony announcements, highlights from the commencement activities, a school pennant, and a Spartan statue. Following graduation Bunch worked as a grammar school teacher in San Luis Obispo, California.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically and by format.

Folder 1: Normal School Documents, 1913

Folder 2: Pennant and Spartan Statue, n.d.

Folder 3: Teaching Certificates, 1913-1920

Series II: Noelle Bobbe George (Hillis) Memorabilia 1864-2005

Physical Description

1 Box

Scope and Content of Collection

This series consists of reunion memorabilia collected by class of 1950 alumna, Noelle Bobbe George (Hillis). The contents include reunion programs for the years 1970, 1986, 1990, 2000, and 2005. George was intimately involved as a reunion committee member during the 50th reunion in 2000. The 50th reunion program includes biographical histories of the 1950 alumni. This series also includes miscellaneous family memorabilia, textiles, and some family genealogy.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically and by format.

Folder 4: Class Reunion Materials, 1970-2005

Folder 5: Textiles & Family Memorabilia, 1864-1994