Hilary M. Juckett

Hilary was born in Hasketon, United Kingdom on December 2, 1939, to James and Marjorie Ewing. She spent her earliest years growing up in Hasketon at Oak Tree Farm, of which she had many fond memories, including playing games with her friends at local events, attending convent school with her beloved younger sister Phillippa, and getting into occasional trouble caused by her mischievous older brother David. She was very close throughout her life with all of her siblings, including her oldest brother Richard, who remained in the United Kingdom and who survives her, along with his wife Sally, and their children, Camilla, Jamie and Suzi.

In 1955, most of the Ewing family immigrated to the United States on a ship called the Arosa Sun. Through a series of unexpected events, the family found themselves in Newton, New Jersey, where Hilary lived on Ryerson Avenue and Halstead Street, at various times. Hilary completed her education at Newton High School, and then held a series of jobs, including as an assistant at a local medical practice, and then as an assistant to Fred Hussey of Aeroflex Corporation. While at Aeroflex, she met Kenneth Juckett, to whom she was married in 1970, and thereafter she became the proud mother of two boys, David and Gregory.

Hilary always put her family first, throughout her life. She took great care of both of her parents in their final years, and she never expressed a word of pity for herself, even as she experienced significant health challenges over a number of years. The slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On” might as well have been written with her in mind. In her later years, she loved talking on the phone with her family and friends, sharing stories and observations that showed her wonderful sense of humor and dry wit that never failed to draw laughs from whomever she was talking to. Hilary also loved the garden that her son David tended without fail; eating holiday meals with both of her sons, her daughter-in-law Bethany and Kenny; and keeping up with current events in the United Kingdom.

In addition to her brother Richard and his family, Hilary is survived by her husband Kenny, who she loved dearly and who was devoted to her; her sons David of Hampton and Gregory and Gregory’s wife Bethany, of Andover; her sister-in-law Margaret Ewing of Hampton; her brother-in-law Arthur Weiland of Clinton Corners, New York; her American nieces and nephew – Bruce Ewing (Tracey) and Jennifer Ewing of New York City, Hilary Manser (Dave) of Stillwater, and Susan Zaremba (Brian) of Fredon and their families; and her dog Lilly.

A Celebration of Hilary’s Life will take place at a later date.