Madison, CT
Lillian (“Lil” or “Lilly”) of Madison, CT entered heaven peacefully on September 18, 2018. Lil was passionately devoted to her family, her God, her friends, her neighbors, and her work colleagues. Her good natured, strong willed, and resilient personality served her well. She had a youthful fun loving personality and made many friends during her 98 years of life on earth.
Lillian was born in New York City the day after Christmas in 1919. She grew up with five brothers. Lil graduated from Julia Richmond High School. Lilly worked for S. S. Kreeger from 1939 - 1956. She moved to Rumson, NJ in July of 1956. Lillian then worked the rest of her career in the banking industry for Merchants Trust which later became PNC bank. After living most of her life in NJ, she moved to CT in 2012 to be closer to family.
Lillian Ragonese married her longtime sweetheart Stephen R. Wiles on July 1, 1956 at Blessed Sacrament Church in New York City. It had been over 60 years since Lil saw her husband, and their reunion in heaven must have been amazing.
Devotion has mainly forms and synonyms. Love and care are two forms of devotion. Lil loved her family deeply. Like a healthcare professional with a big heart, she took fabulous care of her husband Steve, mother Grace, and uncle Charlie who were all suffering from various illnesses. When her younger brother Sal had a highly contagious illness as a child, Lil disregarded the quarantine sign on Sal’s bedroom door in order to help her Mother take care of him.
Another form of devotion is loyalty. Lillian was extremely loyal and committed to family relationships. Her parents Grace and Salvatore, and brothers Sal, Anthony, Lenny, Henry, and Joseph were very important to Lil. She always made time to babysit her nephews, nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews. If “being there for your family” was an Olympic sport, Lil would have won many gold medals.
Lil had many hobbies. Her enthusiasm for the beach, food, cooking, and photography was huge. The beach was where you could find her on most summer weekends. She frequented beaches like Edgewater, Trade Winds, and Ship Ahoy. Her famous tan reflected her many hours in the sun (and her wonderful Italian roots). Lillian’s appetite was famous among her family. At age 90, she could still out eat people twice her size and half her age. She was a passionate cook and her eggplant parmesan could be smelled from a mile away. Lilly loved to photograph family and friends. She took thousands of photos. We all remember seeing stars after Lil took many pictures with her blue flash cubes.
Lillian’s faithfulness and volunteering for others was always the central part of her life. She volunteered extensively for her church. Her spirituality is also captured in this passage:
I AM NOT THERE
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
All are welcome to join Lil’s family at her wake and funeral service. Please see details below.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday, 9/21/18 from 4-7pm at Neary Quinn Funeral Home, located at 39 South Street, Manasquan, NJ. 08736. (732)223-0003
FUNERAL
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, 9/22/18 at 10am at Holy Cross Church, located at 30 Ward Avenue, Rumson, NJ 07760. (732)842-0348
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. The link is act.alz.org. Better yet, please ring their 24/7 Helpline at 1.800.272.3900. Your donations will be such a beautiful way to help others and also to honor Lil’s life.
Please share any of your memories in Lillian’s guest page. Here is her link:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/manasquan-nj/lillian-wiles-7994295
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