Olga Rose Hill

Olga Rose Hill passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 16th, at the age of 103. She was born at home in Brooklyn, New York on August 25th, 1915, the fourth of five children of Polish immigrants Stanley Grochola and Marianna Plachno. Her family moved to the Highland Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, where she grew up with her siblings Veronica, Stephanie, Francis and Dorothy. She attended St. John Cantius Catholic School and graduated from Richmond Hill High School, class of ’32. She worked as a secretary in New York, but it was a temporary job in Washington D.C. that changed her life. Olga’s cousin Agnes had been in D.C. the year before, and recommended that Olga stay in the same boarding house. The woman did not have any rooms available, but arranged for Olga to room in a house nearby and take her meals at the boarding house. At dinner there, she met another temporary D.C. resident, from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Tommy Hill. Olga and Tommy dated for a few years (some of it long distance when Olga’s temporary job ended and she returned to Brooklyn), and at St. John Cantius Church on February 20th, 1943, Olga and Tommy were married (the ceremony was performed by Olga’s brother, Fr. Francis Grochola). Housing in D.C. was tight during wartime, but Tommy found them an upstairs apartment to rent in the Cherrydale/Maywood section of Arlington. The two of them lived in that house (moving downstairs in 1948) for the rest of their lives. Olga and Tommy had three children, Cathy, Stephen and Paul. They were avid duckpin bowlers (every Wednesday night, at Pla-Mor Lanes). They were members of St. Agnes Church, and all of their children attended St. Agnes Grade School and Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School. Both Olga and Tommy were active members in the parish, Tommy as a lector and Olga as a Eucharistic minister. Olga was also joined the St. Agnes Arts and Crafts group, and for many years, managed the book booth at their annual bazaar. In 2006, Tommy, her husband of 63 years, passed away after a short illness. In 2010, a fall limited Olga’s mobility, but did not diminish her determination, spirit or personality. She was able to remain in her home, and passed away peacefully after an ordinary day. She is survived by her children Sr. Catherine Hill, IHM, Stephen Hill (Beth Talley) and Paul Hill (Brad Akin), grandchildren Dan, Bob and Alex, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends, and her favorite next-door neighbor, Bono Mitchell. Friends are invited to a visitation at Murphy’s Funeral Home Arlington (4510 Wilson Blvd) on Friday, November 23rd from 4:00-5:00 pm and from 7:00-8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Olga’s beloved St. Agnes Catholic Church (1910 N. Randolph St.) on Saturday, November 24th at 11:00am. Olga’s friend and former St. Agnes pastor, Fr. Lee Roos, will be celebrating the Mass. A graveside ceremony at Fairfax Memorial Park (9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax) will follow. …Receive her soul and present her to God Most High. Olga was a great believer in donating to charities, and sent small donations to dozens of organizations every year. Her family requests that, if you so moved, please donate in Olga’s memory to one of these three organizations, or any charity of your choice, links included below. St. Agnes Church, Meg McKnight, Business Manager 703-525-1166 Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, Kimberly Aubry, Director of Advancement 703-237-1447 Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Office of Mission Advancement, Director – Sister Jeannine M. Norton, IHM, 610-647-2160 ext 1926 or 1923