Obituaries » LILLIAN M. FAIRBANKS (STRAND)
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Show Obituaries Map Show Guestbook Show Photos QR Code PrintBurial Date August 23, 2016
Funeral Home Miles Funeral Home
Place of Service St. George's Church
Section Garden of Valor I Lot Number: 209Grave Number: D#2
Lillian M. (Strand) Fairbanks, 89, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 18, 2016 at Notre Dame Health Care Center, surrounded by her loving family.
Lillian was born in Worcester, April 28, 1927, the daughter of the late Johan and Christine (Goulding) Strand. She is predeceased in death by her beloved husband, Herbert W. Fairbanks, Jr., her brother, Robert Strand and her son-in-law, John Reidy.
Lillian is survived by her loving children and their spouses; Karin Reidy and her husband, William Murphy of Auburn, Warren Fairbanks and his wife, Margaret of Northbridge, John Fairbanks and his wife, Karen of Chelmsford, Stephen Fairbanks and his wife, Lori of Orlando, FL, Andrea Stolberg and her husband, James of Worcester; her 11 adoring grandchildren, John Reidy, Michael Reidy, Heather Grant, Luke Fairbanks, James Stolberg, Jr., Eric Stolberg, Joseph Stolberg, Amelia Fairbanks, Zachary Fairbanks, Rachel Fairbanks and Jonathan Fairbanks. Lillian also leaves 9 great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Magdelena Strand of Rutland and nine nieces and nephews.
A lifelong resident of Worcester, Lillian attended Commerce High School and graduated from Worcester State Teachers College in 1949. She married Herbert, her high school sweetheart in 1949 after he returned from WW II military service in Indo-China, and together they raised their five children. Lillian treasured every moment spent with her family, especially the many summers at Duxbury Beach.
Lillian spent 25 years as a teacher at the Mercy Centre, for Developmental Disabilities in Worcester. She received the Emerald Club award for her dedication to special education. She was a long time parishioner of St. George Parish, was an associate member of the Sisters of Mercy, and spent many years, along with her husband Herbert, serving on the Diocese of Worcester Ecumenical Council.
Lillian will be remembered lovingly as the matriarch of her family and a lifelong friend to many. She will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her intelligence, compassion and generosity were recognized by all.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Lillian’s family on Monday, August 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, August 23, at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. George Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Memorial Donations may be made to National Kidney Foundation , 85 Astor Avenue, Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062 or to the Notre Dame Health Care Center, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605.