Lillian M. Arrington

Lillian M. Arrington, 81, of Thiells, NY, passed away on August 8, 2021. She was born in Staten Island, NY on September 8, 1939 to Louis and Inez Meaders where she joined a large and loving family of brothers and sisters. Lillian attended public schools in Staten Island before enrolling at what is now SUNY Albany where she graduated with her Bachelors degree. She also received her Masters’ degrees (Social Studies and Library Science) from Albany.

Lillian began her teaching career in Staten Island at I.S. 51 and later began teaching in the East Ramapo Central School District in the late 1960s. It was there she met Henry Arrington; they later married and welcomed two children. Lillian taught in East Ramapo for several decades as a social studies teacher and library media specialist, most of this time at Spring Valley (now Chestnut Ridge) Junior High School. She retired in the late 1990s. Lillian enjoyed reading (and had an extensive collection of African American literature and media resources), taking pictures, gardening, and spending time with her family whether at family gatherings in New York or reunions across the country.

Lillian was predeceased by her parents, brothers: Louis Jr., Solomon, Thomas, Joseph, Richard, and Robert, and sisters: Alberta Washington and Shirley Meaders. She is survived by her two children, Henry C. Arrington III and Edith G. Arrington, goddaughter and niece, Felica Wallace, sisters Dorothy Moody and Frances Robinson, and a host of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in her memory to the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund (https://www.rocklandnegroscholarshipfund.org/donate).