Lil worked for a time at the famous Macy’s on 34th Street in New York City, where she met her husband, Bernie, an NYPD Police Officer, when he came in to purchase a pair of gloves. They were married in New York and spent 70 fulfilling years together. They raised three daughters: Trisha, Debora, and Monica. Before retirement, Lil and Bernie traveled extensively to many countries and areas of the world. They were blessed with four grandchildren: Aileen, Christopher, Jennie, and Shane, and nine greatgrandchildren: Megan, Nicholas, Erin, Keelin, Xavier, Brendan, Sebastian, Declan, and Kieran. There were numerous nieces and nephews.
Before moving to Maine in retirement, she was the Clerk of Courts for the Town of Cortlandt, NY, a career Lil fully enjoyed. She was also the Holy Name of Mary Church Organist in Crotonon Hudson, NY, for decades, and eventually became the Organist at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick, remaining in that position for years. As she did in NY, Lil played at many weddings and funerals in the Mid-Coast area.
During her lifetime, while Lil had an artistic side, her lifelong passion was piano and organ. She had a beautiful voice and sang and played music in places of worship of many different denominations. Lil was known and loved by all who met her due to her love of life, music, and laughter. She had a zany energy, loved all things glamorous and was blessed with remarkable and enduring beauty both inside and out. Lil was kind, generous, grateful, and loving and will be truly missed by her family and friends.
Lil and Bernie made a wonderful life for themselves in Brunswick, Maine, enriched by family and close friendships they made through shared activities filled with many fond memories. They were devout Catholics and attended Mass every morning as long as they were able.
The last few years of Lil’s life she was cared for by the nurses and staff at the Governor King Memory Loss Community (whom she always greeted with “Hi Darlin”!) “I’m so happy here” was often her reply to “How are you, Mom?” While a resident there, Lil entertained others with her lovely piano playing and beautiful voice. In the final week of her life, she was under the combined care of Chans Hospice and the Governor King staff and nurses.
Lil was predeceased by her sister, Marie, and her brother, Michael. Her loving husband, Bernie, passed away in 2013, and their beloved daughter, Monica, in 2014.
She is survived by her loving daughters Trisha and Debora and son-in-law, John.
A private viewing will be held on November 4, at Stetson’s Funeral Home, Brunswick. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Church, Brunswick. Burial will be at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta, on Monday, November 6.
Gifts in her memory may be made by sending flowers or by donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.
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