Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND - Vera Hill died peacefully on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at her home in Rockland. She was 92.
Vera June VanTassel was born on April 1, 1926 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was the daughter of Kathleen Donovan and Alexander VanTassel. Vera lived with her mother and one brother, George VanTassel in Royalton, New Brunswick where she attended school in a one room school house and graduated from high school. Vera was known as a bright student and for enjoying school and learning.

During the years of WWII, Vera worked for the Canadian Red Cross. After the war, Vera moved with her mother and brother to Brookline, Massachusetts. 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 on September 8, 1956 in Boston. They made their home in Brookline for several years before moving to mid-coast 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 Company and President of People’s Heritage Bank. Vera was employed for nearly twenty 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 Church 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 8th at 10 AM at the Seaview Cemetery corner of Chestnut and Bayview Streets in Camden.