PRINCETON – Grace D. Hiland, 50, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2007, surrounded by members of her loving family at home. She was born Sept. 14, 1957, in Waite, daughter of the late Warren A. Rideout and Marcia (Wheeler) Rideout. She was a graduate of Woodland High School and had completed many additional college courses in business and computer technology. She and her late husband, Thomas E. Hiland, were married for 30 years. They resided in Woodland for more than 20 years, before relocating to Princeton for the remainder of their lives. She spent many years as a stay-at-home mom, devoting all of her time to raising her three children, John, Jodi and Jerry. She dedicated countless hours coordinating the performance schedule for her children, The 3 Js, and traveling with her family to share their music all over the eastern United States. While living in Woodland, she enjoyed giving to her community by organizing the revival of the annual Labor Day festivities. She was well known for her role as the town clerk and part-time librarian in Princeton, as well as president of the Princeton Women’s Club. She is remembered for her creative town news columns representing Woodland and later, Princeton, published for many years in The Calais Advertiser. Since 2005, she has been employed as the administrative assistant for Engineering Technologies Incorporated, ETI, of Cutler. She enjoyed traveling frequently to Nashville, Tenn., to watch her son, Johnny, perform at venues such as The Grand Ole Opry and The Ryman Auditorium. More recently, she enjoyed participating in activities as a member of United Bikers of Maine. She and her son, Jerry, had purchased Har-ley Davidson motorcycles and enjoyed riding with friends. She was predeceased by her father, Warren Rideout; mother, Marcia Rideout; and her brother, Roderick Rideout, all of Waite. She was also touched by the untimely death of her beloved husband, Thomas, who she loved dearly. She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Curtis and husband, Melvin, of Richmond; her three adoring children, John Hiland and wife, Kimberly, of Nashville, Tenn., Dr. Jodi Hiland of West Hartford, Conn., and Jerald Hiland of Princeton; and her precious granddaughters, Katherine and Emma Hiland, also of Princeton. Her memory will live on in numerous special nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends and family may gather for remembrance 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, at the funeral home. A graveside gathering will then take place at Princeton Cemetery with a reception after at 57 West St., Princeton. Friends may pay tribute at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
GRACE D. HILAND
