Lillian Palefsky

Lillian was the beloved wife of Harold Palefsky who pre-deceased her 29 years ago and the beloved mother of John Palefsky (and daughter-in-law Barbara) and Sandra Palefsky Marder (and son-in-law Mitchell). She was a dearly loved grandmother of Harrison, Hunter, Susan, Zoe and Michael.

Lillian’s parents emigrated from Eastern Europe in the early 20th Century. She grew up in Revere and Mattapan with her much loved sisters Ann and Ruthie and her half-sister Irene, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. She graduated from Girls’ Latin School and went on to the University of Massachusetts Amherst (Sigma Delta Tau Sorority) to study history. After graduating college, she joined her family’s business at Karas and Karas Glass in South Boston where she worked for 8 years up to her first child being born.

Lillian moved to Harold’s hometown of Lowell after getting married. Besides being a devoted mom and wife, she became very involved in the Jewish community (Hadassah, Sisterhood, and Temple Beth El) as well as local and national political campaigns. She was a member of the Art Council of Lowell and represented Lowell as an All - American City at the national conference in Atlanta. She also worked part-time in the family businesses of H&H Paper and Sandra Lee Sweets. Lillian’s sister Ann had taught her to play bridge at a young age and she continued to master the game with her cherished bridge group (sometimes more talking than bridge as all her closest friends).

Lillian and Harold loved to travel (mostly in the US) and spend time at their second home in Ogunquit, Maine. After Harold died at the young age of 67, Lillian traveled extensively with trips to Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Panama and multiple cruises. There were also many family vacations and of course summers in Ogunquit with all the family and extended family.

Nineteen years ago, Lillian moved to Chevy Chase, Maryland to be near her daughter and her family but still made frequent trips to New York to be with John and his family. She never missed a family birthday celebration and loved being with her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews at weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s and family gatherings. She continued her love of learning attending many courses at the Synagogue and participating in the senior activities (including her twice a week Bride group). For the past two years Lillian was a resident at a lovely memory care facility. They all knew how she loved her hometown of Boston and her morning coffee but most of all how proud she was of all her grandchildren. She was loved by all.

Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to Congregation Beth El (Bethesda, MD) – Senior Caucus Fund – www.bethelmc.org (secure webpage) or 8215 Old Georgetown Rd Bethesda, MD 20814.

Graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 18th at 10am at Beth El Cemetery, 100 Waverly Av (off Steadman St), Chelmsford, MA.