Barbara Anne (Grant) Hill

Barbara Anne (Grant) Hill, age 93, of Maynard, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025. She was the wife of the late Frank R. Hill, Jr.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 6, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Walter B. and Helen T. (Jones) Grant. Raised and educated in Boston, Barbara graduated from Girls' High School (1949) and the Massachusetts College of Art (1953), with a focus on elementary education.

Barbara and Frank were childhood friends who married on December 26, 1953, while Frank was on leave from the United States Marine Corps. The couple settled in Maynard in 1961 with their growing family.

After raising her children, Barbara began working part-time, leading story hour at the Maynard Public Library from 1972 to 1975. In September 1975, Barbara started her career at Maynard's Green Meadow Elementary School as a kindergarten aide, was promoted to kindergarten teacher in January 1976, and held that position until her retirement in June 1993. In retirement, Barbara continued to volunteer in the classroom at her beloved Green Meadow School for several years.

During retirement, Barbara and Frank relished attending their grandchildren's concerts, plays, recitals, sporting events, and graduations. They enjoyed hitting the open road with their camper for long weekends in Vermont with the extended family and visiting all of the lower 48 and parts of Canada. They also enjoyed cruises, traveling to Alaska and Hawaii, as well as much of Europe. Barbara always kept a full cookie jar for family and friends to enjoy. Visible fixtures in their neighborhood for years, Barbara and Frank always looked forward to walking the block with their beagle, stopping to chat with all their neighbors.

Barbara is survived by her five children, Robert W. Hill and wife Anita Stevanazzi-Hill of Maynard, MA; James R. Hill and partner Nancy Stadler of New Boston, NH; Peter M. Hill and wife Alka Patel-Hill of Leominster, MA; F. Daniel Hill and wife Phing Hill of Hubbardston, MA; and Andrea J. McGrath and husband James McGrath of Orange, MA. She is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Barbara was predeceased by her siblings, Elinor Curley, Lorna Bardon, Walter B. Grant Jr., and James Grant.

Barbara was an avid, lifelong reader and supporter of the Maynard Public Library. In retirement, Barbara enjoyed volunteering as a guest storyteller at story hour. In lieu of flowers, donations for children's books may be made to the Maynard Public Library, in memory of Barbara Hill, 77 Nason Street, Maynard, MA 01754. The family also asks that you take a few minutes to read a story to a special child in your life in Barbara's memory.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11:00 am in Glenwood Cemetery, Great Road entrance, Maynard, MA. There will be a reception after the service from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Maynard Elks, 34 Powder Mill Road, to share stories about Barbara, have a few laughs, and possibly even play a little cribbage (Barbara's favorite game). Please stop by even if you are unable to attend the graveside service.