Scott Hilton

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My beautiful brilliant beloved boy chose to leave this life one week before his 34th birthday. Scott died by suicide, leaving the way he lived, at his own time, in his own way, and on his own terms.

He was precocious from the start, teaching himself to read at two, learning all the states and capitals by three. He loved to learn what he wanted to learn and excelled at anything he put his mind to. Once he wrote a class paper on a subject he liked because the subject assigned bored him. Despite his battles with ADHD and bipolar disorder, Scott made it to graduate school at Brooklyn College where he said he had finally found a home, finally found “his people” and city. His family, the theater department, mourn his passing, as we all do.

Scott was a kind, loving, and benevolent soul. As a child, he would cry when a friend got a cut or skinned knee. He absorbed their pain and wanted to heal them. In lower and middle school he liked to come to work with his mother at Crossroads so that he could help out in the emergency food pantry. He enjoyed stocking shelves and bagging food orders. He made friends with some of the homeless clients who he shared jokes with, and whom he greeted whenever they met, much to the horror of his grandmother. Some kids had lemonade stands; Scott had a good luck bubbles stand. Scott set out his sign, 25 cents for good luck bubbles. He waited with his container of bubble mix and wand for people to walk by who needed hope.

At one point he wanted to make change in the world at the legislature, just like his mom. He rallied his class, found a sponsor, and got a bill written and passed to make the sugar beet the historic Utah state vegetable.

His kindness knew no bounds. When he was a “starving college student,” I would send food gift cards for meals outside the cafeteria, only to discover later that he didn’t buy meals, he would take his roommates out for coffee and treats. Some years back, Scott joined the Moose fraternal organization. He helped with fundraisers and sent his own money to support Mooseheart, a residential campus in Illinois, caring for children and teens in need. Through LiveOn NY Scott has been a donor who will help 75 recipients with better lives.

At the end of last school year at Brooklyn College, he received the prestigious Howard Brandston Award for a student majoring in Lighting and Technical Design, an award that came with a scholarship.

In the end, his bipolar disorder prevailed.

He leaves behind his mother, Linda, two aunts, two uncles, four cousins, his roommate, and other half, Jeremy, his adopted brother Adrian (Ashley), and his godson, Arrik. His beloved dog Folgend, survives him as well and thankfully has been adopted by Jeremy.

We are left with no words and broken hearts. Scott came into this world profoundly loved by his family, and he has left profoundly loved by so many more of us.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 16 at 11 a.m. MT at City View Mortuary, 1001 E. 11th Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT. Those not able to attend in person are welcome to join by visiting this page for his service: https://inspiredfuneralhome.com/scott-hilton

Scott will be buried next to his father in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Brooklyn College Foundation at Brooklyn.edu\givetoday. Please note that your gift is in memory of Scott Hilton in support of the Brooklyn College Theatre  Department.