Hilda Nahill's Obituary
Hilda Nahill of Salem, NH died unexpectedly at her home on July 22, 2022 at the age of 97.
Beloved daughter of the late Michael and Josephine (DeAngelis) D’Arezzo, she was born in Lowell on May 8, 1925. She graduated from St. Peter's and Lowell High School; a good student, she was proud to have been invited to pursue scholastic achievement in History but passed on the opportunity so she could help out at home. She moved to Lawrence when she married in 1947 and lived in the Merrimack Valley all her married life. She was fiercely independent and lived by herself in Salem for the last 17 years. She was proud to be the oldest person in the neighborhood and loved her neighbors who looked out for her and were quick with a wave and a smile. Until COVID, she drove to the Salem Senior Center for daily lunch and chat time with her friends. Ever the pragmatist, one day she proclaimed that a 95 year-old woman shouldn’t drive herself and so she voluntarily gave up her car without any fuss or commotion.
Hilda’s whole life centered on her family. She was the quintessential housewife and mother and an outstanding cook. Her parents and older siblings emigrated from Italy so she was raised with authentic Italian cuisine and prided herself on her lasagna. Upon marriage, she lovingly embraced her husband’s Lebanese culture and patiently learned to cook many Arabic specialties including yabada (stuffed grape leaves), kibbee nayeh and kibbee sanieh, Lebanese meat pies fithian and even handmade Lebanese sausage called makanek. The Lebanese recipes were passed down via word-of-mouth so she experimented until all her meals tasted just right.
Hilda was loved by so many people. She was the matriarch of the family and the last of her generation. She was married for 58 years to Edmond who passed in 2005. Hilda is survived by her children: Barbara Nahill Agazarian of Salem, NH; Nancy Nahill Monti and her husband Jeff of Cumberland, RI; and Thomas E. Nahill and his wife Robin from Amherst, NH and grandchildren Chelsea and Daniel whom she loved madly; many nephews and nieces including Michael D’Arezzo of Methuen, Richard Gleason of Westford and Linda Biro of No. Chelmsford and too many to mention on the Nahill side of the family. Hilda was predeceased by her siblings of whom she was closest to Alma Gleason, Angelina Dirubbo and Rose Peccerillo. Arrangements are by the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home (978.682.8381). Visitation will be Tuesday morning 7/26 beginning at 10:00 followed by a noon time funeral service at St. Joseph’s Melkite Church and burial at the United Lebanese Cemetery. To send condolences, visit www.breenfuneralhome.com.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Melkite Church in Lawrence or the charity of your choice.
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