Marion Estelle (Wessells) Hill

Marion E. Hill led an exciting, enthusiastic and very good life.  She was an “idea” person who didn’t shy away from making big things happen.  She had a zest for life.  She was born and raised in Pocomoke City, MD.  She was expected to be a Nurse and on visits to her grandparent’s farm on Hog Neck near Modestown, she was often given the weaker ducklings to take home and nurse to health.  Her youth at High School graduation made acceptance into Nurses Training impossible though, so she bided her time at Goldey Commercial College (now Goldey-Beacom) in Wilmington, DE, where she received a degree in General Business.   Upon graduation she pursued and completed Nurses Training in Philadelphia. 

As a Registered Nurse, Marion moved to Los Angeles to work at the Methodist Hospital.  It was War time, however, and a patriotic parade inspired her to join the Army Nurse Corp.  She was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington where she met the man who, sometime later, would become her husband of 56 years, William W. Hill.  She was a 2nd Lieutenant and he was a lowly Staff Sergeant, but they were married on a weekend pass!

They worked enthusiastically at life together and lovingly raised two children, William Jr., who predeceased her, and daughter, Carol.  Partners in all things they built several successful manufacturing businesses.  They wrote and published a book, “Mind to Matter or How to Manufacture and Market Your Idea”.  They traveled the country, and the world, and made very sure their kids appreciated what the USA has to offer. 

Marion loved the Eastern Shore of Virginia and all that lives here, whether two or four legged.  In 1998 the entire family returned here, built a home on wooded land and started yet another new adventure.  She and her husband were lifelong Christians, servants to each other and every church they were affiliated with over the years.  In her final years she was a member of Hollies Baptist Church in Keller.  She loved her church family and enjoyed entertaining them all at Christmas time. 

In addition to her loving daughter she is survived by a grandson, Nigel Hill, wife Katelyn and granddaughter Haley of McKinleyville, CA; nieces, Mary Ruth Engle and husband Tom of Winnetka, CA, and Judy Toronto and husband Christian of Beavercreek, OH; nephew, Allen Hill and wife Fern of Sandy, UT; cousins, Anne Rolander of Modestown, VA, Joan Grimes and husband Glenn of Salisbury, MD, Mary Francis Condon and husband Tom of Clifton, VA, Toby Dryden and wife Phyllis of Pocomoke City, MD, Billye Rae Steelman of Chincoteague, VA; and too many other cousins, nieces and nephews to try to name. 

Marion remained engaged and interested to the end.  She died at age 98 at home in Melfa with her daughter, Carol, by her side.   She requested earth friendly cremation as she knew she would no longer be needing “that old thing”.  The best was yet to come. 

A celebration of Marion’s life will be held at a later date.  Many thanks to all the Riverside Hospice Nurses, Caregivers and Friends who shared time and love with her so selflessly.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.