CAMDEN — Hilary Carr Jones, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully, November 15, 2024, in Camden, Maine, at the age of 83, surrounded by her husband and children. Hil's life was a beautiful tapestry woven together by family, faith, fun and an unwavering commitment to helping others.

Born in 1941 to Richard and Katherine Carr in Larchmont, New York, she was the youngest of five siblings - Katherine (Kitty) Grinnell, Steven Carr, Anne Finn, and Michael Carr. With strong family ties to California, Hil's early years were marked by the warmth and love of a large, close-knit family and time walking the beaches on both coasts.

Hil's education began at the Convent of Sacred Heart boarding school. She skipped two grades and later moved to Toronto to study at University of Toronto, St. Michael’s College, where she met her future husband and father of her children, David Day. At 21, she graduated with a BA in English. In 1975, Hil and David chose separate paths, marking the beginning of Hil’s remarkable personal and professional transformation.

Hil returned to university as a single mother, determined to create a future for her five young children. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from McGill University in 1980, and a Masters in Social Work in 1982. This was the beginning of a robust and rewarding career in social work, where she worked with organizations like the Royal Victoria Hospital, Allen Memorial Hospital, where she developed community programs, and operated a private counseling practice. Her work touched the lives of countless individuals, providing support and care in times of crisis.

In 1991, after a decade-long separation, Hil reconnected with her high school sweetheart, David (Davy) Jones. This reunion rekindled a love that had always been there, and in 1996, the couple married, creating a new chapter in their shared journey. The couple set roots in Camden, Maine at Camp Rabbit.

Camp Rabbit was their home and sanctuary. Hil loved being on the water, tending to her beautiful garden, appreciating the multitude of birds in their feeders, and hosting their blended family. In addition to family, Hil and Davy’s life together was filled with friends, adventure and boats. They both got their coastguard certification and then ran a charter Friendship Sloop called Windhorse. One of their favorite daily activities was taking long walks along the lakes, beaches and trails in Maine and in the beautiful areas around Point Lobos and Carmel in California.

Hil adored traveling and discovering new places on the coast and further afield. She explored the world with her family and friends, from Australia and New Zealand, across Europe, the Caribbean, to hiking in Nepal. She treasured every moment spent in new places, learning about different cultures and connecting with people.

Hil was involved in many groups including knitting groups, book clubs, meditation and Lectio Divina. She volunteered for over a decade with hospice, and worked with soup kitchens, Wooden Boat, and the Megunticook Watershed Association. Hil’s spiritual journey was a lifelong exploration. In her later years she referred to herself as a Buddhist Christian. In 2018, she joined the First Congregational Church in Camden where she was a dedicated member and co-created Vespers. 

Hil leaves behind a legacy of kindness, wisdom, and unshakeable love. She is survived by her husband, Davy Jones; her children, Deb Day (Graham Holt) of Toronto, Canada, Louise Newman (Rob Newman) of Vallejo, California, Katherine Day (Rob Lalonde) of Ottawa, Canada, Sean Day of Montreal, Canada, Jessica Day (Michael Lynch) of Lincolnville, Maine; step children Bronwyn Wolfgang (Bradley Wolfgang) of Rockport, Maine, Maeghan Jones (Kirk Zigler) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and her cherished grandchildren, Adrienne, Kara, Aliza, Theo, Jonah, Eloise, Tristan, Leonard, Chloe, Liam, Morgan, Vivien, and Ollie.

She is also survived by her beloved brothers Steven Carr of Pipersville, Pennsylvania, Michael Carr of New York, New York; sister, Anne Finn of New Paltz, New York, and a large extended family of godchildren, nieces, nephews, and dear, dear friends.

A service to celebrate Hil's life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Camden, Maine, on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following organizations:

Homeworthy; Hospice Volunteers; Knox County Clinic; Lifeflight of Maine; Megunticook Watershed Association; The Shields Mission Project