Harriet Hill Bentley

Harriet was born on May 27,1932 in Newnan, GA and was the daughter of the late Wellborn Buchanan and Harriet Jones Hill.

Harriet graduated from Newnan High School as Salutatorian. She attended Randolph Macon College and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill from which she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

After graduating, Harriet moved to Boston, MA, to attend The Katherine Gibbs School. She eventually moved to Tampa where her path would cross with her future husband George to whom she was married for 62 years. Harriet worked for the Hill, Hill & Dickinson Law Firm in the real estate group for over 40 years, retiring at the age of 60. She was also a longtime member of the Junior League of Tampa and the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.

Hattie was a devoted and steadfast mother and grandmother to her two children and four grandchildren. She will live on in our hearts in many ways, most notably through her famous “blondies” recipe. She always had a batch ready whenever she knew family or friends were coming to visit. Hattie liked to keep close tabs on those she loved and was well known for reminding them to “call me when you get home,” no matter the time.

For six years, Harriet was thoughtfully and attentively cared for by the staff at Westminster St. Augustine World Golf Village. In her final years, she was also tenderly cared for by the team at VITAS Hospice.

Harriet is predeceased by her husband George Edward Bentley. She is survived by her two children, Betsy Visvis and her husband Chris of Wellesley, MA and St. Augustine, FL; Hill Bentley and his wife Lisa of St. Augustine, FL; her sister, Mary Catherine Hill Gould of Tampa, FL; and four grandchildren, Meagan Bentley and Michelle Godwin and her husband Grant, all of Gainesville, FL, and Amanda & Taylor Visvis of Somerville, MA and Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VITAS Community Connection, 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45202. https://vitascommunityconnection.org