Velma Hines, 84, passed away at Alice Peck Day Hospital on April 30, 2015. Velma, known to many of her friends as “Tillie,” was born in Grafton on January 3, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Sadie and Archie Seamans.

She is survived by her brothers Kernel and Robert and her sister Phebe Belloir. She was predeceased by her brothers Wilmer, Howard, Herbert, Leslie, and Frank and her sister Eleanor Cynkus.

Velma was married to the late Verne Hines for 52 years and had two daughters, Roberta (married to Jerry Liebrand) of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Jane of Canaan. She is also survived by two step-sons, Terry and Tracy Hines, both of New Hampshire.

Velma attended Andover High School and the Nursing School at Concord Hospital. Her career included 31 years at Alice Peck Day Hospital.

As the Administrative Nursing Director, she started the extended-care facility, which began as an eight-bed unit and grew to over 50 beds during her tenure. Her portrait hangs in the lobby of Alice Peck Day Hospital as a testament to her contribution to the facility’s success.

Since retiring in 1995, Velma volunteered at LISTEN in Canaan and had served as a member of the Board of Directors. She continued volunteering through December of 2014. Her passion for knitting contributed hundreds of pairs of mittens and scarves to the shelves of LISTEN as well as providing donations to a number of other charities. The family asks that donations be considered for the Canaan Fast Squad and/or LISTEN, Canaan, New Hampshire.

The family would like to thank the Armistead caregivers for their kind and compassionate care: Lisa Nadeau, Donna Olson, Heather Luce, and Molly Jackson. They also wish to thank Sharon Noble for her care and friendship.

Calling hours were held on May 5 at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield. A celebration of her life was held at the Methodist Church in Canaan on May 6, followed by a grave-side service at Canaan cemetery.