Dilys Hoyt

1934 - 2024

Dilys Hoyt
Dilys Chuba Hoyt, of Blue Hill, ME, former longtime resident of Little Deer Isle, ME, and Darien, CT, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2024. She was 90 years old. Dilys was born on September 15, 1934, in Weirton, WV, to Hilda and Stanley Chuba. She grew up in Pleasant Hills, PA, and graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. degree in merchandising. She was also an active member of the Chi Omega sorority. After college, Dilys moved to New York City and worked for Abraham & Strauss, buying merchandise for a variety of departments. It was in New York City that Dilys met her future husband, Peter, at a party. They married in 1959, and moved to Brooklyn Heights, where they had two daughters, Holly and Heather. Soon after, they moved to Darien, CT, and lived there for 32 years.
While living in Darien, Dilys was a member of Wee Burn Country Club. Dilys had a big heart and was always looking for ways to assist those in need. She was chairman of the board for four years at Family & Children's Agency in Norwalk, CT. She was an active member and volunteer of the Stamford-Norwalk Junior League, and she served on the board at the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, CT.
For several years she and a friend created elaborate animal hand puppets and had a small business performing puppet shows for children's birthday parties in the area. Dilys had a passion for art and interior design. She returned to school and received an associate degree in interior decorating from the New York School of Interior Design.
Dilys loved to entertain and was always planning elegant dinner parties at her home -- often with a game or theme. One winter, she even organized an ice building sculpture contest after dinner in her front yard that included an ice sphynx and a grand dame.
Dilys and Peter began climbing mountains in the 1970's and climbed all 113 mountains in the northeast over 4,000 feet. They also climbed mountains in Scotland, Wales, and Nepal. Her most ambitious was on the Mt. Everest trail in Nepal, reaching a height of 15,500 feet. She and Peter enjoyed traveling all over the world and visited over 45 countries. For ten years Dilys organized and escorted art and musical tours in Europe. Middle eastern countries were her favorite to visit.
In 1998, they moved to Little Deer Isle, ME. Dilys was quick to make many friends and enjoyed entertaining year 'round. She explored the many hiking trails all over Little Deer and Deer Isle and summer boat ride picnics to many of the surrounding islands in Penobscot Bay. Dilys completed a four-year program of study in theology through the University of the South Sewanee in Education for Ministry (EfM) and became a full member and deacon of the Saunders Memorial Congregational Church in Little Deer Isle. She was active in the women's group and enjoyed planning the two annual fairs and fundraisers.
Her biggest joy was her family, and she most looked forward to having her grandchildren visit for Christmas and each summer.
Dilys will be remembered as a woman of internal strength, optimism and zest for life. She was predeceased by her parents, Hilda and Stanley Chuba, and sister Gwendolyn Gay Barry. Dilys is survived by her husband Peter Hoyt, her children Holly Posner (Bill) and Heather Gesualdi (Louis), and three grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m., on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Saunders Memorial Congregational Church, 46 Eggemoggin Road, Little Deer Isle, ME. Lunch to follow at The Farmhouse Inn, 578 Pleasant Street, Blue Hill, ME.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com