With hearts full of love and sorrow, we announce the passing of Margarita “Peggy” Hill. She passed away peacefully at age 95 on September 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Margarita was born in Havana, Cuba on September 22, 1930. There she met the love of her life, José Antonio Hill, whom she married on June 7, 1953. To escape Castro’s communist regime, she and José fled to America, arriving in Jacksonville, Florida on February 1, 1962. Here they made a home for themselves and raised five children, teaching them by example their devotion to God and the values of love, compassion, kindness, and humility.

As a teacher of 30 years, Margarita impacted the lives of numerous students at Englewood High School, DuPont Junior High School, and Mandarin High School. A devout Catholic her entire life, she was a founding member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Emboldened by her experience with Cursillo, she served as a Eucharistic Minister at the church, hospitals, and numerous nursing homes. She enjoyed playing canasta with her friends, making her famous black beans and flan, and drinking very dry gin martinis. But above everything, she found the most immense happiness in God and in her family.

She is survived by four of her children: Margarita Hill, Carmen (George) Canelas, Maria (Michael) George, and Peter (Jennifer) Hill; her daughter-in-law Ann Hill; twelve grandchildren: Jenny, Melissa, Ryan, Alex, Peter, Allyssa, Caroline, Mac, Alaina, Olivia, José, and Carmen; and twelve great-grandchildren: Zach, Roman, Jack, Justin, Sophia, AJ, Daniel, Isla, Nakai, Zoey, Sadie, and Lydia. She was preceded in death by her husband, José Antonio Hill, and her son José “Pepe” Antonio Hill, Jr.

The following services will be held on September 12, 2026 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church (6320 Bennett Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216): 10:00 a.m. Rosary, 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial with Reverend Mac Hill as Celebrant, and 12:00 p.m. reception at the parish center.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations are made in Margarita’s name to St. Patrick Catholic Church.