Gina Aleeta Zhdilkov

Gina Zhdilkov lived her life as a force for compassion, justice, and love.

She grew up in South Central Los Angeles, one of the few white kids in a predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood. Gina embraced the culture around her. She learned to speak Spanish, developed a lifelong love of Mexican traditions, and formed her earliest ideas about belonging and the value of human connection.

Gina’s sense of spirituality was a guiding light in her adult life. As a child, she wasn’t allowed to practice religion. Her father, shaped by the trauma of a family history touched by the Holocaust, feared the consequences of religious identity. As an adult, Gina sought out spirituality on her own terms. Her faith was rooted in the belief that every person holds inherent worth and dignity; a belief that guided her work, relationships, and the way she moved through the world.

In 1982, she moved to Utah to attend the University of Utah, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1991 and a master’s degree in social work in 1994. As a social worker, Gina worked with survivors of abuse, those living in poverty, and individuals struggling with mental illness or other complex life challenges. She met people where they were, offering empathy and an unwavering belief in their intrinsic worth.

Gina was also a passionate advocate for justice. Her sharp political writing was often featured in The Salt Lake Tribune, where she championed equal rights for all– regardless of race, gender, or spiritual beliefs.

But her greatest devotion was to her family. Gina poured her whole heart into raising her twin daughters, Kirsi and Keely. She made sure they were cared for in every way—from cooking nutritious meals and intricately braiding their hair to creating magical holidays full of homemade food and Martha Stewart-worthy decorations. She wanted them to grow up feeling safe, treasured, and deeply loved.

On September 18, 2010, Gina married JD Hill, the love of her life. In her words, he was her one true, honest, kind, and genuine partner. She cherished his humor, steadiness, and quiet care—often saying that the last 17 years were the happiest of her life.

Gina’s love only grew with the arrival of her granddaughters, Phoenix and Emmy. She played an active, nurturing role in their lives from reading with them, to taking them to dance classes, and exploring Heritage Park, Gardner Village, local festivals, the swimming pool, and the zoo. She helped them discover the world with curiosity and joy, and she built a bond with each of them that will last far beyond her lifetime.

Gina also had a deep love for animals. She was especially fond of guinea pigs and rabbits, and shared her home with two beloved cats, Sparrow and Piper, who brought her endless entertainment and joy. Her gentle spirit seemed to call animals to her, and she cared for them with the same devotion she gave to everything else in her life.

She found deep peace in nature, especially in her garden. Gina created outdoor spaces that felt almost magical—lush, hidden nooks filled with flowers and vines. She loved harvesting and either baking or canning fresh produce to share with others. Her garden was a reflection of her soul: healing, wild, and beautiful.

Gina’s life was cut short far too soon after a diagnosis of advanced cancer. Her deepest hope was that the love she gave so freely would continue to ripple out through her family and community.

Even in her absence, Gina’s presence can still be felt– in the kindness we show one another, in the laughter of her granddaughters, in quiet moments with our animals, in the smell of blooming flowers, and in the simple beauty of everyday life. Her love is all around us, still.

A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

• Huntsman Cancer Hospital

• Your local shelter for victims of domestic violence

• Women for Women International (https://www.womenforwomen.org)

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (https://www.missingkids.org)