Alene Hill

Alene Smith Hill, 98, of Chambersburg, PA, died Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Chambersburg Hospital, Chambersburg, PA. A resident of Penn Hall Menno Haven for the past three years, she was a descendent of early southwest Virginia pioneers and settlers, the Smith, Blair, Strong and Addington families. She was born June 25, 1917 and raised in Wise County, Virginia, where she met and married Harold Hill, who preceded her in death in March 1995. They moved to Raleigh County, West Virginia, where she made her home until her move to Penn Hall. She loved to recall her days in the coal mining town of Tams, WV and then later her years lived in Beckley, WV.

She was preceded in death by her father, Conard Jackson Smith, her mother, Ella Millie Blair, six brothers and their wives, Mack Smith (Ann), Clyde Smith (Marynell), Garland Smith (Launa), Claude Smith (Margaret), James Smith (Shirley), Otis Smith (Jerlene), brother- in- law John Williams, and daughter-in-law, Paula Christian Hill.

She is survived by a sister, Marynell Smith Williams of Kingsport, TN, a daughter, Barbara Hill Torrico and her husband Cecil of Ruckersville, VA and a son Harold D. Hill and wife Harriet of Fayetteville, PA. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren: Jennifer Torrico, Steven Torrico (Julie), Susan Schwartz (Alan), DeWayne Hill (Sarah), Julie Mercilliott (Marc), Laura Greene (Steve), Matthew Hill (Lauren), Susan Schurman-Krol (Kurt) and Steven Schurman; 13 great grandchildren: Breann Geil (Jeff), Alec Mercilliott, Colin Mercilliott, Adam Schwartz (Sarah), Alison Schwartz, Austin Hill, Shannon Hill, Natalie Hill, Joshua Greene, Celine Greene, Stephanie Torrico, Gregory Torrico, and Logan Hill; many nieces and nephews and friends a special friend, Jackie Campbell.

Alene was of the Methodist faith. She was noted for her hospitality and cooking, especially her biscuits and gravy, corn bread, cakes, and candies. She was an avid WVU Mountaineer football and basketball fan. She loved working in her vegetable and flower garden. Despite her small stature she was an excellent bowler, participating in several leagues and in the WV state tournament. She loved playing Yahtzee and traveling with her husband to many of the states over the years.

For 35,829 days on this earth she loved her family and her family loved her and she will be missed. She was a good daughter, supportive wife, nurturing mother and mother-in-law, wonderful grandmother and a friend to all she met.

A memorial service to honor Alene’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 1:30 PM in the Chapel at Penn Hall, 1421 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Suzanne Elliott of Calvary United Methodist Church and Chaplain Brenda Doyle of Penn Hall will officiate.

The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Chambersburg Hospital’s Progressive Care Unit, as well as the staff at Penn Hall for the tremendous care provided to Alene during her time there.

Memorial contributions can be made to CALMRA, Inc. 5020 Sunnyside Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705, serving people with disabilities or the Menno Haven Benevolent Fund, 2011 Scotland Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201.