Obituary: Virginia L. (MacKenney) Hill, 83, worked at Hill's Family Store, Ran Antique Store

Virginia L. (MacKenney) Hill, 83, longtime resident of Alan Road, Hamilton, died Saturday, April 27, 2013, in her home following her long illness. She was the wife of the late Howard R.“Taffy” Hill.

Born in Ipswich May 6, 1929, daughter of the late Horace and Lillian (Russell) MacKenney, she was raised in Ipswich and was a 1947 graduate of Ipswich High School. For many years she was employed at Conley’s Pharmacy. Married in 1959 in the First Church in Ipswich, the Hill's soon made their home and raised their family in Hamilton. With a grown family she went to work with her husband at the family’s clothing store, the former Hill’s Family Store in Ipswich. Mrs. Hill was also a collector and dealer of antiques. For several years during the 1980s she owned and operated the former Hodge Podge Antiques in Ipswich.

Mrs. Hill loved animals. She was a lifelong member of the First Church in Ipswich, and for years volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program.

She is survived by two sons, Brian H. Hill and his wife, Pamela, of Wenham; and Bradford R. Hill and his wife, Aimee, of Ipswich; two daughters, Kimberly A, Allen, of Essex, and Shelley D. Buchanan, of Hamilton; nine grandchildren, Brenna Cerretani, Casey Hill, Daniel Hill, Zachary Hill, Courtney Hill, Shawna Allen, Jenna Allen, Ryan Buchanan and Emma Buchanan; a sister Elaine Kersey, of Gloucester and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by grandson Mason Hill and two brothers and a sister.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., graveside in the New Highland Cemetery, Town Farm Road, Ipswich. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Tuesday 5 to 8 p.m. in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High St., Ipswich. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA, 01923; and or Ipswich Humane Group, 17 Fowlers Ln., Ipswich, MA, 01938. To leave a condolence, please visit www.whittier-porter.com