Kissel, Margaret (Hilton)

Margaret (Hilton) Kissel, wife of the late Samuel Kissel, lost her battle against cancer on March 20, 2024.

Margaret was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1930 to John and Annie (Mackay) Hilton. In 1940, to escape the dangers of WWII, her mother, sister and she sought refuge in Washington Depot for four years.

Upon her return to Scotland, she attended Laurel Bank School and Glasgow University before heading to NYC to start the next chapter of her life. It was there she met her first husband, Richard Walton. They lived in Maryland and Brooklyn before settling in Redding, CT with their two children.

It was at that time that Margaret started her teaching career, getting her Master’s degree and 6th year along the way. Her entire teaching career was in the Wilton school system.

In 1978, she married Samuel Kissel who, through his experience as the Concert Master for Arturo Toscanini, taught her a deep appreciation for classical music. After her retirement, in 1988, they split their time between Nantucket and Boca Raton before returning to Connecticut in 1994. She then started her long relationship with FAVARH, working in their thrift shop and serving on their Board of Directors.

Margaret is survived by her son Richard Walton and his partner Trish Desforges, daughter Cathy and her husband Jim, grandchildren: Kevin Barnard, Shannon Barnard, and Maggie Barnard, many nieces and nephews in Scotland and her cousin Evelyn Stirling. She was predeceased by her sister Elsa Fyfe.

Calling hours will be at Vincent’s Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 13th with a short service at 1:00 PM. Burial immediately following at Simsbury Cemetery. Donations in her memory can be made to FAVARH, 225 Commerce Drive, Canton, CT 06019. Please visit Margaret's Book of Memories at www. vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.