Grace O’Neil “Neil” Ward Hillsman of Harrisonburg passed away at Sentara RMH Medical Center on Sunday, May 19, 2024, three weeks before her 86th birthday. She was born June 10, 1938 in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of the late Nellie Armstrong Ward and Howard Alexander Ward.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Marvin C. Hillsman, Jr., her two daughters, Susan Hillsman Hurley (Ron) of Virginia Beach and Amy Hillsman Blackwell (Ed) of Harrisonburg, her sister Linda Carol of Encinitas, California, and grandchildren, John, Mark, and Daniel Hurley, and Madelyn and Andrew Blackwell. Neil was predeceased by her parents, her brother, David Alexander Ward, and her best and dear friend Linda S. Stephens.

Neil was a graduate of Douglas Southall Freeman High School in Richmond and Longwood College, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She subsequently received her Master’s Degree from James Madison University.

She was a member of Elkton United Methodist Church for 58 years, Spotswood Country Club, the National Genealogical Society, Hillsman Family Heritage, and the Elkton Garden Club. Neil served a number of years on the Elkton Recreation Commission where she instituted ballet classes and youth recreation. As a skier herself, she promoted and encouraged skiing for Elkton youth. She never shied away from a challenge – from turning a room in a firehouse into a dance studio and finding a ballet teacher to building a small ice-skating rink in her backyard. But she always said the best thing she ever did was her two daughters.

Neil began her career as an elementary and high school teacher, and was later a legal secretary for Marvin. When their daughters were in high school, she went back to work as an executive assistant at R.R. Donnelly, and then teaching computer and business courses at several locations, which she absolutely loved.

She loved her family dearly; their needs, desires, and goals were always foremost in her mind and efforts. In addition to her family, Neil loved reading, travel, quilting, sewing, crafts, skiing, the beach, and spending time with friends. Whether it was for her family, in her neighborhood in Elkton, or on group trips with the Virginia State Bar, she was a frequent organizer of fun activities, and often the life of the party. She was full of energy, never met a stranger, and had a good sense of humor, which was nice, because she and Marvin, as a couple, were sometimes referred to as Sunshine and Thunder. Neil was also an avid fan of University of Richmond football and basketball, having attended many games with Marvin, who was an alumnus. Neil’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Serenity House at Bridgewater Retirement Community where she resided since September, 2021. They loved her, took excellent care of her, and appreciated her sassy wit. They became like family.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at Elkton United Methodist Church, 205 Warren St., Elkton, Va., directed by Pastor Debbie Powell. The family will greet friends in the sanctuary following the service. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors, Harrisonburg/Rockingham SPCA, or Cat’s Cradle.