Ryegate Corner, VT- Rita (Perrine) Hilyer, 98, of South Bayley Hazen Road died at her home on July 12, 2015. Rita was born in New York City on August 23, 1916, to William L. and Elizabeth (Jenness) Perrine. She married Vincent Hilyer on August 13, 1943. Rita was a bookkeeper for Turner's Stationery in Bergenfield, NJ. She also was the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. Rita grew up in Bergenfield and later moved to Washington Township, NJ. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to Vermont. She was a communicant of St. Eugene Catholic Church in Wells River, VT and attended the Ryegate Corner Presbyterian Church where she worked on their strawberry festivals and hunter's dinners. She was the "TNT" secretary and a member of the Blue Mt. Grange. She was the oldest living Ryegate resident. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Hilyer on December 3, 1996 and son-in-law, Carl Balko on December 21, 2009. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Balko of Newington, CT; granddaughter, Jenness Gabris and husband James of Durham, NC; grandson, David Lee Balko of Harrison, NJ; great grandson, Xavier Carl Gabris; along with several nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, July 20, at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 15 Pine Street, Woodsville, NH. Burial will follow in Blue Mt. Cemetery, Ryegate Corner. Memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. Rita's family wishes to acknowledge the fine and respectful care with which she was provided by the Northeast Kingdom Home Care.