Jean Hilton

Jean Audrey Bates Hilton passed away on June 7, 2020. Jean was born on August 27, 1925 toClarence and Edith Bates the youngest of six children who all have preceded her into heaven.She graduated from Lincoln Academy and then attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in NewYork City. She performed in summer stock theatre in Worcester, MA while living with her sisterToni and her family and working in a local dentist's office. She then returned to Newcastle andLincoln Academy where she worked in the office. It was here that she met her husband of nearly68 years, Ralph Hilton. They were marrried on August 27, 1952. She moved with Ralph andtheir young family of four to East Rochester, NH in October of 1962 where she became active inthe local community while raising her children. She helped with VBS at Grace Baptist Church,with the local Girl Scout Troop, and 4H club. As a member of the East Side Association in thelate 1960's she directed several plays that were performed on the stage in the East Rochester FireStation. She also directed the Frisbie Follies talent show fundraiser, held at the Rochester OperaHouse, in October 1974- a huge success! She served on the Frisbie Memorial Hospital AuxiliaryBoard, the Friends of the Library Trustees, and Dollars for Scholars. In her later years she andRalph enjoyed winters on the Gulf Coast of Florida. She was predeceased by her son DavidHilton and son-in-law Wayne Bennett. Jean is survived by her children Holly (Ron) Carignan,Lorie (Sam) Tweedy, and Peter (Hanna) Hilton along with her grandchildren: John, Joshua,Amanda, and Amberle Bennett; Benjamin, Isaiah (Colleen), and Rachel Hilton. She is alsosurvived by several nieces and nephews. "Gentle Jeannie" will be lovingly remembered for hergrace, love, support, sense of humor, and the patience of a saint. Her family would like to thankher caregivers from Easter Seals and Heaven Sent for the loving care they provided to her.Graveside services will be held at a later date at Pine Knoll cemetery in Newcastle, Maine.Memorial donations can be made to Cornerstone VNA, Easter Seals, NH Association for theBlind, or Heaven Sent.