Lillian Gardner Croft

On August 16th, a perfectly warm and sunny Summer day, Lillian Gardner Croft left the comfort of her home surrounded by her two loving daughters and her family and ascended into Heaven knowing how much she was loved by all those whose lives she had touched while here on Earth. Lillian was born in Darlington County near Hartsville, South Carolina on September 25, 1922 where she spent much of her childhood growing up on her grandparents' farm and grew her roots as a Southern gal. She later moved to Baltimore where she married and raised both of her children. In 1980, she moved to Williamsburg, a town she quickly fell in love with and came to call home. She went to work for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's Human Resources Department, a fitting role for her as she loved interacting with the public and made many friends along the way. She retired from the foundation in 1991. Upon retirement, Lillian spent much of her spare time gardening and socializing until her daughter's tea room, Taste, was opened. She then spent the next eight years becoming an integral part of their business as she had a gift of connecting with everyone she met. Above all else though, Lillian's most important role was that of a Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. Her joy was never more evident than when she was spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Fiske, and son-in-law, Bob Fiorenza and is survived by her daughters Diane Dean and Cherri Fiorenza, her grandson Scott Dean and his wife Nikki, and granddaughters Susan Richardson and husband Thomas, Robyn Haynie and husband Drew, Jennifer Nichols and husband Matt, and Amy Potter and husband Bo, by her five great grandchildren Hannah, John, Logan, Mackenzie and James, and by her sister Frances Braun. Arrangements have been made with Nelsen Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 19th from 6-8pm and a private service will be held at Penninsula Memorial park on Thursday morning. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association and/or Sentara Hospice.