Helen “HoHo” Wagoner Hill, 96, a resident of Bridgewater Retirement Community in Bridgewater, Virginia, passed away Feb.17, 2022.
She was born Feb. 28, 1925, in Deer Run to the late Roy Hammer and Nora Cloe Dahmer Wagoner.
Mrs. Hill graduated from Franklin High School and was the class historian. She organized many class reunions and kept a scrapbook until age and travel difficulties dissolved this close-knit class.
She attended Shenandoah College in Dayton, Virginia. Her roommate’s brother would become her husband. She attended Fairmont State College. She taught school in Pendleton and Rockingham (Virginia) counties.
She retired from J.C. Penney after 26 years working in the downtown store and later at the Valley Mall in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Here she got her “HoHo” moniker from her upbeat positivity and sense of humor. “No complaining” was her rule. These traits never left her.
She loved volunteer work and her clubs. She was a faithful bell ringer for the Salvation Army and handed out juice and cookies for the American Red Cross blood drives. She was a member of the Dale Enterprise Home Demonstration Club, the Singers Glen Senior Citizens and the Carl D. Lee V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary (the Buddy Poppy Queen). She held leadership roles in all of these groups.
Mrs. Hill faithfully attended Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church with the children in tow where she taught Sunday School and ladies groups. After moving to Bridgewater Retirement Community Assisted Living in 2014, she enjoyed chapel and Bible Study and sharing with Chaplain Russ.
She loved gardening, canning, mowing (even using a push mower), cooking, walking, sewing, reading, crossword puzzles, picking up her chestnuts and a sip of sweet red wine occasionally.
She kept everyone together as a family. One Sunday a month, all the extended families were at her table to reconnect and love each other. The family had great laughs and memories from these dinners. She always made Christmas special.
She loved to cruise and fly. She was blessed to be able to visit Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii with a childhood friend. Oh the stories! She toured the battlefields in Germany where her husband served in World War II. Recently, one of her caregivers asked her where her favorite place was. Her answer with a laugh was “Wild, Wonderful West Virginia!”
Bridgewater Retirement Community became her second home. There were so many new friends, activities and loving and caring staff to keep her on her toes. And so many great stories!
On June 22, 1946, she married Harry Nelson Hill, Sr. at the First Presbyterian Church on Court Square in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They celebrated 57 years of marriage until his death in 2003. They shared four children.
She is the last surviving member of her family.
Surviving are her daughters, Lana (Bill) Hartman of Penn Laird, Virginia, and Mary “Clooney” Rodeffer of Bridgewater, Virginia; daughters-in-law, Patricia Hill of Broadway, Virginia, and Kerry Hill of Mt. Crawford, Virginia; a special forever sister, Joanne Swan in Princeton, Illinois; grandchildren, Mollie (Andrew) Hess of Culpeper, Virginia, Leanne (Henry) Karnes of Shenandoah, Virginia, Mark (Kelly) Hill of Fulks Run, Virginia, Natalie (Chris) Campbell and Nathan Rodeffer, all of Staunton, Virginia, Adam (Michele) Hill of Seattle, Washington, and Alex (Claudia) Hill of Williamsburg, Virginia; 10 great-grandchildren, Ian and Annabelle Hess, Logan Karnes, Luke and Laci Hill, Corinne Campbell, Bradley and Nicholas Rodeffer and Noah and Gabriela Hill; and many special nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Virgil (Mary) Wagoner and Roy Lee (Jean) Wagoner; a sister, Hilda Mullenax (Arthur); two sons, Roger W. Hill and Harry N. “Chop” Hill Jr.; and a son-in-law, Kenny Rodeffer.
Chaplain Russ Barb and Wendell “Sonny” Henkel conducted a graveside service Wednesday at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial donations may be made to Bridgewater Healthcare Foundation, 302 N. Second Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.
Proverbs:31 – A very good and faithful woman with love for her family and life well lived. Cheers Mother Dear! And go light up heaven.
Arrangements were under the direction of the McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
