Lynn H. Hill

Lynn Harris Hanger Hill, 73, of Mount Sidney, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at her home after a three-and-a-half-year battle with a rare form of cancer.

Lynn was born on July 25, 1952, in Staunton, the daughter of the late George and Betty Hanger.

She was the quintessential wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, whose love and influence touched all who knew her. She is survived by her devoted husband of forty-nine years, Joe; her daughter, Ann and her husband, Josh Gutshall, along with their children, Henry, Gus, Betsy, and Freddie; her daughter, Kay and her husband, Andy Foy, and their children Thomas and Georgia; her son, Jim and his children, Faron and Coen; her sisters, Kay Carter and Jane Hanger; her brother, Bill Hanger; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Lynn was a 1970 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Longwood College in 1974 and her master’s degree in Spanish Literature from West Virginia University in 1976. She devoted much of her life to education, teaching Spanish at Fort Defiance High School for twenty years before spending the next decade teaching ESL/ELL at Lacey Spring and Cub Run Elementary Schools in Rockingham County. During her time at Cub Run, she was honored as the school’s first Teacher of the Year. Beyond the classroom, she gave of her time and talents as a tutor in the Migrant Education program and at Stewart Middle School and was a steadfast advocate for the Hispanic community in the Rockingham and Augusta areas. Following her retirement from Rockingham County Schools in 2017, she remained deeply involved in education, working part-time as a mentor to ELL teachers, ACCESS testing assistant, translator, and interpreter.

Lynn was an accomplished seamstress/crafter who made many gifts for family and friends. She also founded and managed the Cub Run Elementary School Winter Gifts program for nine years, providing warm clothing, food, and gifts to families in need within the Cub Run community. She remained a source of encouragement and support for many of her former students and took great pride in their successes. Lynn and Joe shared a love of travel, visiting all fifty states and sixteen foreign countries together. She also treasured the friends who became family to her. Above all, her deepest joy and greatest devotion were to her husband, children, and grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as ‘Grandmommy.’

Lynn was part of five generations of her family to be members of Central United Methodist Church in Staunton, where she faithfully served on numerous committees.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Central United Methodist Church in Staunton with Reverend Won Un officiating.

Inurnment will be private at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 953, Staunton, VA 24402).