Hudson – Ruth Patricia (Hillman) O’Neil passed away on Sunday, March 19. She was born to parents Robert and Lillian (Wellman) Hillman in their family home in Hudson on February 9, 1921. She lived a long and blessed life.
Ruth graduated from Hudson High School in 1939, and then took up the war effort working at Lapointe Machine Tool to support the GIs during World War II. After the war, she was married to her long time sweetheart, Jerry O’Neil, who had served with the Marine Corps in the Pacific Campaign. They were a well-known and liked couple in Hudson with Ruth working as a librarian and Jerry at the Post Office. Both active in the community, Ruth was a president of the Hudson Women’s Club. She had a beautiful voice singing Soprano with the choir at the First Unitarian Church of Hudson and Marlborough for over 70 years.
Ruth loved playing the piano, participating in Community Theater, painting, gardening, and ballroom dancing. She was also a Red Sox and Patriots fan. Most of all, she enjoyed time spent with family and friends.
Her husband, Jerry, predeceased her in 1975. She leaves behind three children, Carolynne Miller, Elizabeth Mills and her husband Dr. Walter Mills, and Stephen O’Neil and his wife Doreen, as well as four grandchildren, Victoria and Christopher Mills and Tyler and Alex O’Neil.
A service celebrating her life will be held at the Unitarian Church of Hudson and Marlboro, 80 Main St., Hudson, Wednesday, March 22, at 12 p.m., followed by a luncheon gathering at the Church Social Hall. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Unitarian Church of Hudson and Marlboro, 80 Main St., Hudson, MA 01749.
Arrangements are under the care of the Tighe Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson.
