Caroline Grace Hilton

SKOWHEGAN – Caroline Grace Hilton, 86, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, at the Redington Memorial Home where she had been a resident since July 2025.

Caroline was born Aug. 25, 1939 in Madison, the daughter of Robert and Phyllis Carlson of North Anson. She attended Mark Emery Grade School and Anson Academy High School where she graduated in 1957.

Caroline married her husband of 65 years, Leslie Hilton, on June 27, 1959. Caroline worked on the family farm growing up. In 1959 she took employment with Norrwock Shoe Co. in Skowhegan where she worked until 1970 when she left to spend the next 20 years as a loving mother and house wife.

She returned to work at the Solon Manufacturing Co. in 1990 where she retired in May of 2004. She took great pride in her strong work ethic that she gained from her childhood days on the farm, whether at her place of formal employment or household chores. She exhibited this work ethic daily and always remained busy and active.

Caroline enjoyed her time visiting with family and friends, she loved to play cards and games which she did frequently with close friends, neighbors and family. She liked to collect coins and Longaberger baskets of which she had built an extensive collection. She also enjoyed her house and yard in tip top shape. If she wasn’t inside cleaning or cooking, she could be found outside in her flower gardens, doing chores and yard work.

Caroline especially cherished her time with close family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She possessed an amazing level of unselfishness. She was a blindly devoted wife, mother and grandmother. A time is not remembered when she ever questioned or put her needs in front of those of her family. She would drop everything on a moment’s notice to help, support and love for whatever was needed. She was a dedicated caregiver to Les in his final years. She took peace in knowing she was able to provide him her support in his final needs.

Caroline was predeceased by husband, Leslie; her parents Robert and Phyllis; sister, Lillian and her husband Leslie Watson, and brother-in-law, Richard Wilder.

Caroline is survived by her son, Michael and his wife Anita; grandsons Derek and Benjamin Hilton and his fiancée Renee Proctor; great-grandchildren Jackson and Everli; sister, Shirley Wilder, brother, Norman Carlson, sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Walker; and many very close nieces, nephews; special friends and neighbors.

A special thanks to the staff and residents of Redington Memorial home where they made her final days as comfortable as possible.

A funeral service will be held at the Skowhegan Federated Church on April 11 at 2 p.m. with a gathering immediately after in the adjoining Fellowship Hall.