Vera Hill died peacefully Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at her home. She was 92. Vera June VanTassel was born April 1, 1926, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was the daughter of Kathleen Donovan and Alexander VanTassel. Vera lived with her mother and a brother, George VanTassel, in Royalton, New Brunswick, where she attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from high school.
Vera was known as a bright student who enjoyed school and learning. During the years of World War II, Vera worked for the Canadian Red Cross. After the war, Vera moved with her mother and brother to Brookline, MA. Her mother purchased a home on Newbury Street and created a business renting rooms for income. It was in Brookline that she met her husband, John Hill, who was employed at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and had secured a rental from Vera’s mother. A romance bloomed and the couple married Sept. 8, 1956, in Boston. They made their home in Brookline for several years before moving to Midcoast Maine, where they owned homes in Rockport and Camden, eventually retiring in Rockland.
Vera was a very loyal wife to her husband, John’s, career path as he rose to become general manager of Dragon Cement Co. and president of People’s Heritage Bank. Vera was employed for nearly 20 years by a Canadian corporation, National Sea Products, which operated out of Rockland. She worked as an executive assistant and personnel manager for National Sea Products and took pride in her work. Vera became known for her strong work ethic and professional competence by the management and employees.
Vera was also active in the Episcopal churches in Camden and Rockland for many years. Vera is remembered for her cleverness and quick wit, her natural ability to listen and engage others in conversation, and her great sense of humor. She and John had a strong network of friends through the years and loved their life on the coast of Maine.
She was predeceased by her mother, her brother, and husband John in 2015. During the last few years of her life, Vera was cared for in her home by a team of warm and caring friends including Cara, Jean, Kahdejah, Rona and Sherry. At Vera’s request, there will be no memorial service. A burial is scheduled for June 8 at 10 a.m. at the Seaview Cemetery, corner of Chestnut and Bayview Streets, Camden.
To share a memory or story with Vera’s family, visit her on line Book of Memories at bchfh.com. Arrangements are with Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.
