Virginia E. Hillman

Virginia "Ginnie" E. (Cash) Hillman, 93, of North Avenue, Attleboro Falls, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 4, 2013 at the Madonna Manor Nursing Home in North Attleboro where she had been a resident for the past several months during a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Roscoe Harold Hillman to whom she was married for more than forty years prior to his passing. She was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts on October 4, 1919 and was the daughter of the late Leslie Raymond and Edna Mary (Carpenter) Cash. She was raised in Rehoboth and attended Rehoboth elementary schools and was a graduate of Taunton High School - Class of 1937 and she earned her private pilot's license after graduating from FAA Flight School in 1967. She was employed by the family business, the former Oscar A. Hillman & Sons in North Attleboro as a shipping clerk for five years until devoting herself to her family in 1943. Mrs. Hillman was a resident of Attleboro Falls since 1940 and was an active member of numerous social, civic and political endeavors for decades. As a volunteer fundraiser, Mrs. Hillman worked for the Heart Fund, American Red Cross and the United Fund Cancer Drive of which she served as area chairperson for the 1977, 1978 and 1979 campaigns. As a member of the Kalmia Club of North Attleboro, Mrs. Hillman was a secretary; member of the membership committee for District 4 of the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs and served as Public Relations Chairperson. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Massachusetts Health Planning and Development Agency in 1977 and served on the Community Education Committee of the agency. As a member of the former North Attleboro/Plainville Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Hillman served on the Legislative Committee of the chamber and was the area coordinator for the building expansion project of the Hockomock Area YMCA in North Attleboro. For many years she served as a member of the Sturdy Hospital Association. Mrs. Hillman was a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star - Angle Stone Chapter #118, North Attleboro. She began her lifelong love affair with politics as a teenager working for the late Congressman Joseph W. Martin, Jr. Mrs. Hillman served as a campaign worker and coordinator for Senator Edward W. Brooke, Congressman Margaret M. Heckler, State Senator John F. Parker, State Senator John M. Quinlan, Governor Francis Sargent, Governor John Volpe, State Representative Kevin Poirier and Representative Donald Bliss. She was an active member of the presidential campaigns for Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford. Mrs. Hillman served as chairperson of the John F. Parker Friendship Dinner in 1969 and was a commissioned Notary Public in 1970. She served as the Chairperson of First Bristol Senatorial District for Si Spaulding in 1970 and the same for Mike Robertson in 1976. Mrs. Hillman served as a delegate to the GOP National Convention in 1972 as an alternate for Margaret Heckler; was a delegate to the Northeast Regional GOP Convention in 1971; was a delegate to the Massachusetts State GOP Conventions in 1966, 1970, 1974 and 1978 having served on the Credentials, Ballot and Platform Committees; was a delegate to the National Federation of Republican Women in Washington, DC from 1969 - 1970; served as President of the North Attleboro Women's GOP Club from 1964 - 1970; was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bristol County Republican Club from 1970 - 1978 and served for numerous years on the North Attleboro GOP Town Committee having served as publicity chairperson and as a member of the board of directors. In 1970, Mrs. Hillman was elected to the Massachusetts State GOP Committee to fill the unexpired term of Caroline N. Owens of Taunton and was later reelected to full terms in 1972 and 1976. Mrs. Hillman was the Vice Chairperson of the State GOP Issues Committee chaired by then Governor Edward King in 1974. For decades Mrs. Hillman has been a member of Central Congregational Church in the Village of Attleboro Falls. She served her church in a variety of capacities including as a member, vice president and president of the Women's Union, as a church trustee a member of the Pastor Parish Committee. She served on the Massachusetts Federation of Women's Clubs representing the 4th district from 1980-1981. Mrs. Hillman was a Cub Scout Den Mother and active in the Falls School PTA. An avid reader and a published poet, she enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Iceland, China, Mexico and South America. She leaves three sons: Arthur W. Hillman of North Attleboro; Dennis C. Hillman of Attleboro Falls and Russell H. Hillman of South Attleboro; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; a brother: Milton F. Cash of North Attleboro and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. She was the mother of the late Rozalind "Bunny" Fontaine-Flanagan and was predeceased by five brothers and a sister. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Children's room available during the visitation. Those in need of a local ride to visitation may simply call (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation. The Funeral Service will be on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 10: 00 AM at Central Congregational Church, 115 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Carole L. Baker, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be private in Mount Hope Cemetery and Arboretum, North Attleboro. Following church services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship, refreshments and remembrance in the church vestry. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mrs. Hillman's name may be made to the Central Congregational Church Memorial Gifts Fund, PO Box 1319, Attleboro Falls, MA 02763. To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.