Jean Ann Brush Hill, 82, of Harpswell, Maine, passed away peacefully at home on March 26, 2026. She was married to her loving husband, John Robert Hill, for almost 58 years.
Jean was born in 1944 in Portland, Maine, to John Francis Brush and Mildred Eleanor Littlefield Brush. Her family lived in Gorham, Maine, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving to Brunswick, Maine, in 1954. She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1962 and Keuka College in New York in 1967 with a degree in education. She taught in Massachusetts before marrying John in June 1968. She received her master’s in education in 1977 from Southern Connecticut State University.
John’s Army service led them to Arizona, Georgia, and Alaska, before they settled in Hamden, Connecticut, in 1972. Jean raised their children for almost a decade before returning to the classroom. She taught middle school art in Durham, Connecticut, and then elementary school at multiple Hamden schools before retiring from Church Street School in 2001. After retiring, Jean and John wintered in Port Charlotte, Florida, and enjoyed spending the warmer months on Little Sebago Lake, later moving to Harpswell, Maine.
Jean was an artist, a lifelong learner and an adventurer. She loved nature, being outdoors and traveling. She received her sixth-year certificate at Southern Connecticut State University, studied literacy methods in New Zealand and at Tulane University in New Orleans, and completed a summer art program at the University of Urbino, Italy. Keuka bestowed on her its Alumnae Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts. Her art has been shown at Keuka, Southern Connecticut State University, the Cyvia Gallery in New Haven, and Slater Gallery in Norwich. Her artwork series called “tenniscapes” reflects her love of art and tennis.
Jean generously gave her time and energy; went above and beyond for family, friends and students; and quietly and regularly donated to help those in need. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed, while her kindness, devotion and impact on others will live on.
Jean is survived by her husband, John, her son, Nathaniel (Jeanne), her granddaughters, Avery and Maren, and her daughter, Cassandra (Sandy) Hill Edwards, all of Connecticut; her sister, Carol Brush (Cynthia Friend), of Harpswell, Maine; her brother, Jon Roger Brush (Loyann), of Delaware, Ohio; nieces, nephews and extended family in the Littlefield, Brush, Hill, and Johnson families; and countless cherished friends from all of the chapters of her life.
Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. A celebration of life service will commence at 11 a.m. at Brackett Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Eastern Cemetery in Gorham, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Harpswell Santa Fund in Harpswell, Maine: harpswellsanta.org.
To offer condolences and share fond memories, please visit brackettfh.com to view Jean’s online memorial.
