Lillian Larkin

Lillian Faye Larkin, died on Friday, June 12, 2015 at her home in San Diego, California, after a brief but brave battle against esophageal cancer. She was 78 years old. Lil was born on May 7, 1937, in McMinnville, Tennessee, as the only child of Bart and Lorelle Ware. She enjoyed an idyllic small-town childhood, surrounded by family and friends. Upon graduating from high school, Lil began one of the greatest adventures of her life by moving to Washington, D.C. She worked as a secretary, first at the Pentagon and then at Headquarters Marine Corps. It was there she met Joe Larkin, the love of her life, who was serving in the Marine Corps as a Presidential Guard to President Eisenhower at the White House. After six months, they were married on May 5, 1956. They welcomed their only child, Patti, in 1957 and lived the peripatetic life of a military family, finally settling in San Diego prior to Joe’s retirement from the Marine Corps in 1971. After finishing a successful career as an administrative credit manager, Lil and Joe embraced retirement. They traveled throughout Europe as “house-exchangers”, making new friends and memories everywhere they went. In San Diego, they devoted time as volunteers for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Command Museum, where Lil was honored as “Volunteer of the Year”. Known for her beautiful smile, her infectious enthusiasm and her great love of life, Lil brought joy and fun to the lives of a very large circle of friends. She was famous for her beautifully written notes and for never forgetting a birthday or anniversary. She cherished her role as “Grammie Lil” to the very special children in her life and adored traveling with her daughter on their annual mother-daughter trips. In short, Lil was the most loving, delightful, amazing and extraordinary daughter, wife, mother and friend imaginable. Lil is survived by her husband Joe, her daughter Patti and son-in-law Mark as well a number of nephews, nieces and adopted family members. She was also a proud member of the Canyon View Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to the American Cancer Society. Lil’s life will be celebrated in a service at the Canyon View Church of Christ in San Diego on Monday, June 22nd with a viewing at 12 noon and service at 1pm. A burial service at El Camino Cemetery in Sorrento Valley will take place at 2:30pm that afternoon, followed by a reception at the Larkin residence.