Joan J. Hill, age 87, died on Sunday, March 11, 2018 in the Princess Alexandra Hospital, a caring and loving hospital in The Valley, Anguilla. From her birth in Bay Shore, New York, on October 8, 1930, to her death on Sunday she tried her best to help the people and creatures of the island of Anguilla. She was raised in the city of Brooklyn, New York, and attended Saint Savior School.
Joan took an active interest in horses and purchased her own horse as soon as she was able. It was at the stable that she met Joseph C Hill, a mounted policeman, who worked in New York City. Joan and Joseph married in Brooklyn. By the next summer they were joined by their first child, Jo-Anne, and then Joy. Nine years later, Joan had her two sons, Joseph and John. They lived on Long Island until her husband retired and they moved to a farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.On the farm the family continued to raise horses. Joan became a whipper-in for a local fox hunt and participated in that sport until her retirement in 1995. At that time she moved to Anguilla, and since being in Anguilla she worked with Dr. Edgar as her receptionist and for Ashley’s Ice Cream Parlor. She was also very active in Anguilla’s humane society, AARF. She had a great love for dogs and cats and enjoyed helping people keep their pets healthy and happy.
Joan never tired of expressing her love for the island of Anguilla and the people that live here. She often said to visitors, “If you have a flat tire in Anguilla you won’t have time to get out and look at the problem before a number of people will stop to help you change your tire, and and nearby household will come out offering the use of a phone or lunch.” She loved Anguilla and considered it to be her home.
At Joan’s request she is being cremated. Many friends are having “Joan” parties around the island to celebrate her life.