Lillian Saul grew up in Southern Mississippi under a big wide open sky. As a teenager, she became fascinated by flying after seeing a plane make an emergency landing in a field near town. Her grandmothers gave her flying lessons as a high school graduation present. She obtained her pilot’s license on March 14, 1947 at the age of 17, and left home to work at filing and clerk jobs at military bases that kept her near what she loved—airplanes. She called Alabama, Texas, and Ohio home. Lillian’s sister Ann remembers train trips she took as a girl to visit her much-older sister as she pursued her career.
In Ohio, she was offered a job with Lane Aviation selling used Cessna airplanes. Finally she could fly as part of her job! Because this was such an unusual job for a woman at that time, her boss, Foster Lane, made a pitch to a popular game show. On April 3, 1955, Lillian appeared on What’s My Line?, stumped the panel and won the $50 prize money.* Lillian often said that the best part of the experience was meeting Fred Astaire, the celebrity mystery guest!
Another day at her job proved to be life-changing. She sold an airplane to a funny and soft-spoken man from Philadelphia and decided to go on another kind of adventure. She married James E O’Donnell and moved to the East Coast. Settling in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Lil and Jim had three children: Marie, Elizabeth Anne, and Kenneth James. This was home for many years.
Lillian was a homemaker and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader. She especially loved camping with the girls in the beautiful Pine Barrens. Her curiosity led her to explore all the highways and byways of southern New Jersey—it also took her into Philadelphia for all the cultural and historic aspects of the city. She rode with her young children on the brand new PATCO High Speed Line on its opening day, encouraging their own curiosity, independence, and passion for exploring!
Her interests were broad, and she always kept learning. Lillian earned her Associate in Arts degree by mail. She also took courses in tax preparation and followed the stock market. Theatre, reading, and travel were major passions for Lillian. From Broadway musicals to small productions, from Shakespeare to the Philly Fringe, she loved it all. Her daughters caught this bug from her and they all enjoyed theatre together.
Lillian explored our country, eventually visiting every state in the continental United States. She made especially memorable trips to Arizona and New Mexico with her son Jim.
The arrival of grandchildren Mike and Caroline brought Lillian much joy—she loved to watch them grow up and always wanted to share their interests and hear about their own travels. She was delighted when Joanna also joined the family as Mike’s wife.
An avid interest in sports grew in later life—her favorite game day comrade was her son-in-law Bruce. Son-in-law Mike shared an excitement for airplanes and SpaceX. Lillian was always curious about new advances in the skies!
Jim and Lillian retired to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where Lillian spent the last part of her life once again enjoying a big wide open sky, spotting planes…and maybe a rocket or two?
* [Lillian is the very last guest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feLh7iKQ9bU]
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