LaVerne A. Hill

LaVerne A. Hill, age 90 of Upper Arlington, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2013. LaVerne was born in Hays, Kansas, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of the late August and Ann Befort. Also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles D. Hill, siblings, August Befort, Jr., Viola Oberlander, and Irene Bilkey, and identical twin sister, LoRaine Gray. Throughout LaVerne's life, she maintained a love of horses and was known by many as the First Lady of Harness Racing. LaVerne and her late husband Charlie founded and operated "Ohio's Showplace of Racing," Scioto Downs for 48 years and owned Hill Farms, one of the state's finest breeding facilities which stood the great Falcon Almahurst. LaVerne previously served as President of the Mid American Racing Association, President and C.E.O. of Mara Enterprises, Inc., and a Director of Harness Tracks of America, Little Brown Jug Society, Recreations Unlimited, and United States Trotting Association. LaVerne was elected as the 2005 Little Brown Jug "Wall of Fame" Honoree and selected as the 2002 Lady Pace Honoree. She has won the Harness Tracks of America's prestigious Messenger Award, U.S. Harness Writers' President's Award, Sulky Sweeties Good Guy Award, the U.S. Harness Writers' Presidents Award, HTA's Good Gal Award and the Social Service Award from the Ohio Harness Horseman's Association. LaVerne was also active in several charities and she generously donated funds to the Delaware County Fair to finance the construction of the one of the finest equine facilities, the LaVerne A. Hill Jugette Barn. In addition, LaVerne was also a member of the Columbus Club, Athletic Club, Scioto Country Club, Capital Club, Agonia Women, Columbus Maennorchor, Sulky Sweeties and an honorary member of the Northwest Kiwanis Club. LaVerne will be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews, Donna (Richard) Bassett, Lynda (George) Conlow, Suzanne Alvarines, LuAnna (Don) Marx, August (Glenda) Befort, III, and Robert Roggers; numerous great nieces and nephews; step-children, Marilyn Cox, Robert Hill, and Charles Hill, Jr.; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and many other extended family members and dear friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Rd. Family will receive friends from 2-5 P.M. Sunday and 4-8 P.M. Monday at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd. Private entombment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Little Brown Jug Society, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware, Ohio 43015 or to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, 240 Main St., Goshen, New York, 10924. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com .