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Barbara Josephine Hilchey
12/19/2021
Barbara Josephine Hilchey, who for many years was the office manager for the dental practice of Drs. Eugene Niedzielski and Robert Nicoll in Exeter, New Hampshire, died peacefully in her sleep in Deland, Florida, on Dec. 19, 2021. She was 93.
Until recently she had been a resident of Arabella of Longview, an independent living community in Longview, Texas.
Her husband, SFC Stanley Michael Hilchey Jr., predeceased her on Aug. 11, 1988. She will be buried with him in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
She and her husband traveled widely during his years of active military service, including overseas postings in Germany and Japan. Their five children were all born in different places, including Maine, Kansas, Virginia, Texas and Hokkaido, Japan. After Sgt. Hilchey retired from the Army, the family settled in Exeter.
Upon her 1988 retirement from managing the dental practice, where she had previously worked as a dental hygienist, she returned to Texas, settling in Longview. She subsequently worked for many years at the former Gregg County Airport in Longview, retiring in 2002. She was a congregant of the Centre Presbyterian Church in Elderville, Texas.
Barbara Hilchey was born on March 26, 1928, in China Grove, Texas, to Lloyd and Jewel Annie Mae Lee Reeves. She was a graduate of Hermleigh High School in Hermleigh, Texas.
She was an accomplished seamstress, crocheter and quilter. And her southern fried chicken and gravy were much in demand until she retired her skillet in recent years.
Barbara Hilchey is survived by four children: Michelle Jacobson and her husband Paul of Eagan, Minnesota; Cheryl Kenlin and her husband Charles of Deland; Kevin P. Hilchey and his wife Charlotte of Longview; and Timothy J. Hilchey and his wife Patricia Ryan of Deerfield, Massachusetts. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Joan Johnston of Placida, Florida. A son, Stanley Michael Hilchey III, predeceased her.
In addition to her children, she is survived by nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Having lived through the Great Depression along with her eight siblings, she was extremely proud that all of her children were able to attend and graduate from college.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Lankford Funeral Home in Deland, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.