Elizabeth H. Hill

Plainfield — Elizabeth “Munchie” “Liz” Helen Hill, 77, passed away March 29, 2023, but she does not want you to feel sad; she recently confided to her grandchildren that she felt she had lived a very fulfilling life.

She was born Oct. 9, 1945, in Norwich, with a creative and energetic spirit. Her love of fashion in her youth led to a lifetime of sewing, at first for her wardrobe and later for her family as a way to not only bolster their finances, but also to show her deep love. School outfits, baby clothes, stuffed animals, Halloween and school play costumes — you name it, Liz sewed it. For a period of time, she owned a sewing store in Taftville.

Liz had a deep appreciation for the arts. She was herself a writer, notably of poems; and she enjoyed meeting local authors, including Wally Lamb. In her free time with her loved ones, she often went to local plays, dance performances and museums. But her biggest love was definitely music — and she was known for being able to out-dance people half her age. Recently, she was most looking forward to seeing her beloved Louis Tomlinson in concert this May: “Three generations of awesomeness will be there to watch him perform,” she had exclaimed on Facebook. But don’t let this fool you! She might have spent her final years loving Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, but for decades she was a dedicated Alice Cooper fan. Our Munchie was a metalhead, too! She cherished many types of music. And she will still be at Tomlinson’s concert, in spirit; we highly doubt that death itself can keep her from it.

In June 2003, she married her best friend Edwin “Perkie” R. Frink, and the two of them shared a keen sense of humor, compassion and a love of life. Together they enjoyed many days at the beach — Liz’s favorite place — and many travels along the New England coast. No matter where they went, Liz often sent postcards to her friends and family in her distinct, beautiful script.

Liz was proud of her final years in her career, during which, she worked as a Secretary of State at UConn, which meant very much to her as someone who believed firmly in education and who often said that “knowledge is power.”

She suffered the loss of her beloved husband, Ed, Jan. 23, 2017; and she carried him in her heart every day thereafter. She joins him now at rest.

She is survived by and lives on in the hearts of: her children: Vernon E. Hill III and wife Nancy, Jody E. Hill and wife Jackie, Jason L. Hill and Kristin E. (Hill) Elliott and her stepchildren, Suzanne (Frink) Haulotte, Elizabeth Frink, Jeannette (Frink) Clark, and their children; her grandchildren, a.k.a. the munchkins: Lauren E. L. Harrelson, Jason Hill Jr., Jody E. Hill Jr., Brandon W. Hill, Geoff Hill, Liana Pike, Alexander R. Pike, Brian M. Pike, Rae Ann Hill, Robert Hill, and Renee Boswell all of Florida; and by several great-grandmunchkins. She is also survived by two sisters whom she was very happy to discover and meet near the end of her life, Dawn (Savage) Harcut of Connecticut, and Donna (Savage) Sharkey of West Virginia. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Paul and Juanita (Sammons) Lamagdelaine; and siblings, Lester and Edith; and by one of her munchkins, grandson Vernon E. Hill IV.

We love Munchie bunches like grapes. We are celebrating her life from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem Street, Norwich. A graveside funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 21, at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich. Messages for the family can be shared at www.churchandallen.com.