Mrs. Lillian Margaret Anderson passed away peacefully in her Kingston home, at 4 am, February 9th, 2022.  Her last days were spent surrounded by family and friends. Her elder sister, Jeanie (2005), and loving husband, Richard (2012), preceded her in death. She is survived by her two daughters, Jill, and Holly; and by her 5 grandchildren, Jenna, Haley, Gavin, Jordan, and Elijah. 

Lillian was born in Edmonton, Alberta, February 12, 1933; a few years after her parents, Margaret and George McGarry (and elder sister Jeannie), immigrated from Glasgow, Scotland. In 1957, when Lillian was only 16, her father, George, suddenly died of a heart attack. Soon after, her devastated mum, Margaret, sold the family home, and set off, with Lillian in tow, hoping for a fresh start in Vancouver, BC. They found an adorable little house on Knight Street. Lillian went out and found a decent job with an accounting firm that paid a good living wage, and she financially took care of her Mum, from then on. Jeannie opted to stay in Edmonton, to make a home for herself, and her new husband, Lyle Sears.

March 1959, Lillian and her best friend, Helen, went on a shopping trip to Seattle. While checking out the city’s nightlife, they stopped by a popular local club, but it was so crowded, they decided to try somewhere else. Richard saw that she was about to leave, so to keep Lillian around long enough to make her acquaintance, he offered them the table where he was sitting, stating that he could go sit with his friends. He didn’t mention he’d been asked to hold that table for another couple, while they danced.  Before long, the couple returned from the dance floor and demanded their table back. Lillian was FURIOUS, but Helen thought that one of Richard’s friends was cute, so they accepted Richard’s invitation to join him at his friends’ table. That following December, Richard and Lillian were wed.

They bought their first home, in Ballard, on Sunset Hill, overlooking Shilshole Bay. Jill came along in 1963; Holly, 4 years later. Lillian was an artist who loved to paint and she taught popular tole painting classes in her Neighbor, Sissel’s Basement rec room, for many years. We grew up with her custom decorated furnishings, and wildlife inspired artwork all around us. She was, most definitely, a hands-on mother, happy to teach arts and crafts to the neighborhood Bluebirds (and later, Campfire Girls). She’s fondly remembered by all the kids from our neighborhood. She was the kind of Mom who everybody wanted to be around. Our yard was always the place where the neighborhood kids preferred to play. Be it Kool-Aid, homemade pudding pops, or basic first aid for cuts and scrapes, she always had ‘just the thing’, at hand. 

In 1975, Richard inherited 10 of his father, Carl’s, 40-acre farm in Kingston. The family moved to Kingston, and lived with his mother, Ruth, until the home that Richard and Lillian designed together, was completed. Summers were spent at their Cabin, on Quilcene Bay. Built with the assistance of friends, over the weekends of many years, it’s a place Lillian considered sacred. So many cherished memories were created there, by/for all who visited. Lillian was a phenomenal hostess. She saw to it that her guests were always comfortable and felt welcome. She treated everyone as her guest. Lillian’s annual Christmas parties were legendary. One could always expect to enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres, exotic cocktails, and the good company of a myriad of stellar people, from all walks of life.

Lillian truly loved all life. She passed that love along, by example, to her children and grandchildren. Even with creatures others would consider pests or vermin; Lillian strongly preferred to rehome things as opposed to extermination. She effortlessly inspired compassion in people. Her children and grandchildren were encouraged, from a very young age, to deeply contemplate the question, “And how would YOU feel, if that were to happen to YOU?”. She truly loved all critters, great and small, and donated thousands to animal causes every year; but she had a special penchant for birds. Her most beloved pets included Phoebe, a budgie she taught to TALK, and Tikka, a booted Bantam Rooster who lived in her house and watched TV with her, from the back of the couch.

Lillian was an exceptional friend, who could truly be counted upon. She valued privacy. She didn’t get involved often, but when she did, it was for good reason; and she gave it her all. Many feel greatly indebted to her and that their lives were truly enriched, just by knowing her. She was a wonderful wife, and mother; and she couldn’t have asked for a better husband. We are glad that she could finally join him and didn’t need to suffer his loss for very long. Nevertheless, she will be dearly missed by all.