Ann Hill

Ann MacMurtrie Hill, 96, of Blue Bell (formerly of Chestnut Hill, PA), died Tuesday, June 16, after a brief illness.

A beautiful soul with a quick wit and impeccable sense of style that endured throughout all of her 96 years.  Mrs. Hill was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Born May 3, 1924, to William J., Sr., M.D. and Adele (Edelman) MacMurtrie, Mrs. Hill grew up in West Philadelphia and Overbrook. She attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur on Rittenhouse Square and, upon graduating in 1942, went on to study at Rosemont College.

From the 1920's through the 1940's, Mrs. Hill spent every summer in Cape May, NJ, with her family. It was in Cape May that, as a child, she initially met her beloved husband, the late James J. H. Hill. They reconnected as young adults at a dinner party and, after a brief courtship, became engaged in May,1946.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill were married on December 14, 1946, at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Overbrook, followed by an elegant reception at Philadelphia Country Club. Thus, began a joyful, love-filled life that resulted in 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. They were married for nearly 72 years before Mr. Hill passed away in 2018.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill settled in Rosemont, PA, where Mrs. Hill was a dedicated volunteer at her children’s schools and served on the board of St. Francis Country House. Upon moving to Chestnut Hill later in life, Mrs. Hill volunteered for many years at Bird in Hand.

Mrs. Hill was an ardent supporter of two classic Philadelphia institutions: the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Phillies. She was known to spend her Friday afternoons at the orchestra and her Sunday afternoons at the ballpark!  Mrs. Hill, a gifted artist, was also a patron of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Mrs. Hill’s Catholic faith was an integral part of her life, and she never missed a Sunday Mass. Later in life, Mr. and Mrs. Hill were daily communicants and served their church as Eucharistic Ministers.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Hill was predeceased by her sister, Adele Limerick, and brothers, William J. MacMurtrie, Jr., M.D. and Francis MacMurtrie. She is survived by her brother, J. Alexander MacMurtrie; two daughters, Polly O’Keefe (Maria) and Karen Denney (Bryan); three sons, James Hill (Pam), Alex Hill (Bunny) and Rodgers Hill (Wendy); 9 grandchildren, Peter Hill, Megan Dugan (Mark), Emily Hill, Alexandra Marrone (Joe), Ashley Shaknis (Chris), Shannon Denney, Kelsey Buza (Eric), Alex Denney and Nicole Hill; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Service and interment will be private.