HELEN IONE MATTESON HILL
Helen Ione Matteson Hill, 94, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at the Valley View Manor Nursing Home.
Ione came into this world August 13, 1922, in New Berlin, the third daughter of what would be eight children born to Clyde F. and Margaret E. (Zirkel) Matteson. She grew up in the New Berlin area and was a 1941 graduate of the New Berlin Central School.
She grew up on the family farm in New Berlin and worked hard milking cows, working in the hay fields and various other farm chores. Her family has never grown tired of her many stories of growing up on the farm. Over the years she worked for the egg factory in New Berlin, Sonee Brothers Jewelers, Victory Markets, Sage Craft and various others in Norwich.
Ione loved being in the outdoors working in her various beautiful flower gardens as well as the vegetable garden. She was a champion berry picker and though we tried no one could pick more berries than mom. She was a competitor playing croquet, badmitten, ping pong, cards and over the last several years was the family champion Chinese checker player.
Ione loved to dance and was elated when she was able to talk Mack into taking dancing lessons. They had many good times going dancing. She also loved doing the polka with her son-in-law, Bob. It became a Saturday night ritual to watch Let’s Polka and The Lawrence Welk Show on T.V. She also loved going out to dinner on Sunday and especially enjoyed the Sunday brunch at Taylor’s Country House.
In 1946 Ione married her handsome southern soldier boy Mack Hill in Liberty Township, PA. They were together for over 53 years until his death September 3, 1999.
Ione was predeceased by her husband Mack, her parents Clyde and Margaret Matteson, her siblings Evelyn Hazard, Marion Button, Donald Matteson, Lois O’Connor, Janet Malone, Clyde Matteson, Jr. and her son-in-law Bob McNitt.
Ione is survived by her daughters Elizabeth (Betty) McNitt of Norwich, Linda (Jerry) Hill Jones of Whitesboro, her 2 grandchildren who she adored, Jon Landers and his companion Janet Kaskela of Sauquoit, NY and Heather Landers of Brewerton. Also surviving are her step grandchildren Patty (Jeff) Kahler of Rome, Jeffrey Jones of Clinton and Michael (Debbie) Jones of Melbourne, FL. She is also survived by 9 step great grandchildren Jacob, Kierstyn, Spencer Kahler, Cody Skyler, Riley, Talon Jones and Heather and Christopher Jones. Ione also leaves behind her one sibling who she loved dearly George Fred Matteson of Hinesville, GA, several nieces, nephews, cousins and her sister-in-law Ruby Hill Brown of NC.
In keeping with Ione’s wishes there will be no calling hours or funeral service. A private graveside service will be held at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery of New Berlin.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Broad St. United Methodist Church, 74 North Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.