Obituary of Virginia Spencer Hiller

Virginia Spencer Hiller, age 89, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, June 28, in her Bethesda home, with both her children by her side. Virginia was a loving wife to Charles, and a devoted mother to her two children, Pat and David. She valiantly weathered all the challenges of being a stay at home mother from the Father knows Best decade of the 50's, when it was the accepted American way of life, through the 60's and 70's, when that role came into question in the face of changing social norms. She showed special courage and tenacity when being the homemaker meant learning a foreign language and fitting into a different society, during the years that Charles served in France. She was a talented pianist and an exceptional music teacher, with membership in the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and each year prepared her students to compete at the National level. She continued playing at performance level into her 80's with a local chapter of the Friday Morning Music Club. Virginia loved family, music, and her community. She looked for ways to bless her community by donating her time and her resources, playing in nursing homes, and maintaining a lovely garden that was the envy of the neighborhood. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, in 1978. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Foley, her cousin, John Gavin, and her two children, Pat Stainke and David Hiller. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 16th, at 11 am, at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Rockville, MD. Attendees are encouraged to come between10 and 11 am to greet the family before the service. A small reception will be held after the service in the Church's Founders Room. Everyone who plans to attend is encouraged to think of a brief story to share during the reception about how they remember Virginia. As we listen to each others' memories, we will all gain a greater familiarity with the broad scope of the amazing ministry of Virginia's richly blessed life on this earth.