Ruth Evelyn Hill

1920 - 2011

PEMBROKE - Mrs. Ruth Evelyn (Kimball) Hill, 91, a lifelong Pembroke resident, died Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Merrimack County Nursing Home after a brief period of failing health.

Born in Concord February 10, 1920, Ruth was the only child of William and Bertha (McNally) Kimball. She graduated from Pembroke Academy, the Elliot Hospital School of Nursing and earned numerous college credits.

After her marriage to Willard Hill, Ruth and her husband lived in Bloomfield, N.J. from 1941 to 1945, where their eldest son, Stanley, was born. After their return to New Hampshire and until their retirement in 1986, they owned and operated Kimball's Store in Pembroke, a landmark owned by the Kimball and Hill families for 63 years.

Over the years she also worked as a Registered Nurse at the Elliot Hospital, Concord Hospital and McKerley Nursing Home in Concord.

Joining in 1935, Ruth was a 76-year member of the First Congregational Church of Pembroke, the longest held membership in the church to date. She was the Sunday school's Primary Department Superintendent for nine years, chaired many church suppers, and served on numerous other church committees.

Ruth was a life member of the Elliot Hospital Nursing Alumnae Association, past President of the Pembroke PTA, a 60+ year member and past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Pembroke Historical Society, Concord Christian Women's Club, the M&Ms, and Friends of the Audi (Concord City Auditorium.)

Ruth was a loving mother, the world's best Nana, and a wonderful cook. Ham loaf was one of her specialties. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, and listening to her scanner.

She was the widow of Willard S. Hill, to whom she had been married 53 years and who died in 1994, while they were on a vacation in the Panama Canal. She leaves three sons, Stanley Hill and his wife Patricia, James Hill, and Donald Hill and his wife Laurie, all of Pembroke; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. A fourth son, Kevin passed away in 1989, and her daughter-in-law Brenda in 2010.

Calling hours are Thursday July 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home, 1217 Suncook Valley Hwy. in Epsom. Members of the Eastern Star will meet at 7 p.m. for a service.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Pembroke, followed by burial in the Buck Street Cemetery in Pembroke

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Pembroke, 301 Pembroke Street, Pembroke, NH 03275 or the Elliot Hospital Nursing Alumni Assn., c/o Nina Jenkins - Human Resources, One Elliot Way, Manchester, NH 03103.

Thomas Petit is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign an on-line guestbook by visiting stilloaks.com.