Lillian S. Saunders

Lillian Lucille (Smith) Saunders, 101, met her Creator on July 23, 2016. She transitioned peacefully to the other side at Manchester Manor Nursing Home. Lillian was born on June 12, 1915 in Bloomfield, CT., the daughter of Christopher and Annabelle Smith. She was raised in East Hartford, CT. where she lived most of her life, prior to moving to The Arbors in Manchester, with her husband, Robert B. Saunders in 1999.

Lillian graduated from East Hartford High School, Class of 1934. She married her high school sweetheart on June 5, 1937, a week before her 21st birthday. Theirs was a long, loving relationship of almost 70 years prior to Robert’s death in 2007. They were both members of the First Congregational Church of East Hartford where Lillian served as a Sunday School teacher and Life Deaconess. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, Bigelow Chapter #33.

Lillian loved music, whether it was a song or dance. She was a Charter Member of the First Congregational Church choir and sang with them for over 60 years. She also sang in her High School Glee Club and was a member of the Girl’s Sextette. She continued singing into her adult life singing solos, duets, in Quartettes and Octettes. She even got to sing on WDRC Radio.

Lillian also loved to dance, and she and her husband won many trophies for their dancing in High School.

Lillian worked to supplement the family income at First Congregational Church, the Aetna and State of CT.

Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Robert B. Saunders in 2007; her son Robert K. Saunders in 2006; and her sister Maebelle (Smith) Foster in 1997. She is survived by her daughter Gail Saunders of East Hartford, her dearest niece Elaine and her husband, Chuck Liebegott of Ocala, FL., her grandniece Debbie and her husband, Bruce Berger of Mt. Sinai, NY, and their sons Andrew and Adam, and her daughter’s best friend Deborah Gingras of East Hartford.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, July 28th from 4:00-7:00P.M. at Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, CT 06108. The Funeral and Service of the Celebration of Lillian’s Life will be on Friday, July 29th at 10:30A.M. at the First Congregational Church, 837 Main Street, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to meet directly at church. Interment following the service will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Elm Street, Rocky Hill.

Memorial contributions in Lillian’s Name may be made to the First Congregational Church General Fund, 837 Main St., East Hartford, CT. 06108.

Lillian’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the Manchester Manor and Masonicare staff for providing their warm and compassionate care. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com