May all thy life be passed amid
Earth’s fairest buds and flowers’
All sorrow from your eyes be hid’
Hope crown thy flying hours’
And peace and joy be thine for aye’
Enhancing every passing day.
BRUNSWICK — Lillian J. Aubens of Brunswick passed away at home on July 22, 2013; she was 88. Lillian was born Lillian Josephine Tipshus on April 3, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois, to two parents who had immigrated from Lithuania.
She received a full scholarship to Northwestern University where she earned a BS in Zoology. During World War II she met and fell in love with Stanley Ellsworth Aubens from Yarmouth, ME, who was in the U.S. Marine Corp. Lillian and Stanley corresponded while he fought at Guadalcanal during WWII and married upon his return.
They settled in Morton Grove, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, where she worked first as a lab technician for Baxter Laboratories, then as a substitute teacher once her children began school. Lillian taught for many years until they retired to Brunswick in 1987.
Lillian’s great joys were traveling in Maine and throughout the world, being very close to her grandchildren, and her involvement with her neighbors in Brunswick, where she made many close friends. She volunteered at the Mid Coast Hospital coffee shop and as an Angel with the Maine State Music Theatre in Bowdoin College. An annual tradition was to take her daughter Laurie and her grandchildren to the MSMT each summer, an event that was loved by all. Lillian loved flowers and birds, always enjoying a gift of flowers be it a bouquet or a plant. Grand-puppy “Birdie” will miss her gentle attention.
Lillian is predeceased by her parents, Blasé Frank Tipshus and Tekli Sungaila Tipshus, and her husband of over 60 years, Stanley Aubens.
Lillian is survived by her brother Lt. Col. Edward Chester Tipshus, USMC, Ret., and his wife Sandy of Columbus, OH; her daughter Laurie Bem Frazier and her husband Robert of Gorham; her son Kenneth E. Aubens and wife Geri of California; grandsons Gregory E. Bem of Seattle and Kevin R. Frazier of Gorham; granddaughters Katherine E. Bem of Gorham/New York and Tara Dipaulo of California; great-grandchildren Hunter, Caleb, Megan, Kendra, and Fiona; and many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
After Stanley’s passing in 2007 his brother Carroll “Brother” Aubens of Yarmouth became the “go to person” and was supportive in helping Lillian maintain her house and car; she relied upon his knowledge, kindness and generosity.
Grandson Greg writes for his beloved Grandmother:
Lillian Aubens, day lit the coast the tide the swells illumined by a lantern in the night. Lillian as lighthouse casting its bright net, cone of truth across the calm and roaring ocean. Lillian Aubens the tower the master of our wellbeing calling out to all vessels our vessels and we are safe, secure, and open, the open sea, Queen of Atlantic, collector of empathy, sympathy, consistence, persistence. Capturer of love: a flock of gulls forming in the sky a reflection the crisp blue abundance of truth, strokes on a canvas Lillian with her hands brought forth the formation of land and how we lived so thoroughly on and around it. The cliff face and sails cracking in the wind. The gentle breeze upon the face. We heard your tremble, we honor your voice. Migratory and maritime the sun rises more with each breath and each memory.
The family would like to thank her dear, caring neighbors and friends, who all helped her live and enjoy her last years and her last days. Donations may be made to the Coastal Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor, Maine in Lillian’s honor, deemed “a magical place” by Lillian and one that brought her tremendous joy during the last few years.
(Going to Laguna Beach, Gram!)
A private celebration of Lillian’s life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick. To share a fond memory or to leave a message of condolence for the Aubens family, please visit Lillian’s tribute page at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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