Merilee Veronica Hills

It is with deep sadness that the family of Merilee Veronica Hills, 83, of Bound Brook, announces her passing on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The daughter of Robert Love Gamble and Anna Maria Gamble (Fesko), Merilee was born on September 17, 1942, in Trenton, New Jersey. She lived in Hamilton Township until the family moved to South Bound Brook. She attended Robert Morris School and was in the same fourth-grade class as her future husband, Ronald. He still has the Valentine's card she gave to him and her classmates all those years ago.

Merilee graduated from Saint Peter’s High School in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1960. In August 1964, she married Ronald and lived in South Bound Brook. Later, they moved to Bound Brook, where she raised two daughters, Linda and Barbara.

Merilee created a loving home and many fond memories for her daughters and husband. Summers were filled with trips to the library and vacations to the Jersey Shore and Washington, DC. Every autumn brought hand-sewn Halloween costumes and homemade pumpkin and shoofly pies. There was always a craft project in process, whether it was embroidery, ceramics, macrame, weaving, or pinecone wreaths. Merilee was especially talented at crochet, and each of her children and grandchildren cherishes the Christmas stockings, stuffed animals, and blankets she created, including Leah’s favorite, “Duck Dee Dee.” Merilee encouraged her daughter’s talents and was very proud of their successes.

Merilee had a passion for genealogical research, which led the family on outings to cemeteries, libraries, and archives. She loved reading, and there was always a stack of books from the Bound Brook Library on the living room table. She also loved to shop, balancing her taste for quality with a knack for finding good deals. When faced with the choice between two equally nice outfits, Merilee’s advice to her daughters was to “get them both”.

Merilee went back to work when her daughters were older. She served as the Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Smalley Elementary School until her retirement in 2002. After retirement, Merilee and Ronald travelled the world. They took 43 cruises, spending a total of 476 days at sea. Her favorite cruise destinations included South America, Scandinavia, Istanbul, Turkey, and the Greek islands. She also loved transatlantic sailings. They gave her time to relax and catch up on her reading.

As the years passed, Merilee joyfully welcomed three grandchildren, who knew her as “Mom Mom”. She embraced them with warmth and created lasting memories through family gatherings, laughter-filled trips, and heartfelt holiday traditions, ensuring that her spirit will always be felt in their lives.

Merilee is lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Ronald Douglas Hills. She is also remembered by two daughters, Linda Ann Devlin (Laurence) and Barbara Elaine Goldblatt (Daniel), and three grandchildren, Andrew Michael Devlin, Leah Abigail Goldblatt, and Matthew Alexander Devlin. They all miss her greatly. She is also missed by her “grand dog,” Madeleine.

A viewing and funeral service will be held at 10 am on Friday, November 28, at Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home in Bound Brook, with interment immediately following at Bound Brook Cemetery. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation and thanks to the many nurses, hospital, and hospice staff who cared for Merilee, with special thanks to her caregiver, Lesya Smahula. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dove Hospice, 198 Route 9 North, Suite 200, Manalapan, NJ 07726.