On Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the age of 89, Lillian Rose Howard passed away at Grays Harbor Community Hospital with her loving family by her side.
She was born July 11, 1929 to Allen and Ida (Shannett) Wooster in Chehalis, WA. Lillian met her husband, William M. Howard, her one and only true love, at a dance. They danced their way into each other’s hearts. When Bill asked for her hand in marriage, her parents gave their blessing, but only if the young couple promised Lillian would graduate from high school. They married December 31, 1946 in Dryad, WA. They kept their promise and Lillian graduated from Pe Ell High School, class of 1947, where she was voted Best Legs. In her Senior Class Will, she willed her ability to get a man!
Shortly after Lillian’s graduation they moved to Aberdeen. They stayed at the Washington Hotel and enjoyed going to dances and movies. Later, they moved to Bay Avenue in Hoquiam and began their family. When their youngest child was a newborn, they bought a home in Central Park.
Lillian absolutely loved her home in Central Park. She enjoyed working in her yard tending to beautiful flowers and shrubs. Her grandchildren have great memories of picking beautiful dahlias the first day of each school year. She was known for her boundless energy and well in to her eighties she mowed her very large yard.
Lillian was the heart and soul of her family. She was most proud of her family and felt they were her greatest accomplishment. They were her life, and she sang their praises to anyone who would listen. Lillian kept them close in good and challenging times with her unconditional love and amazing support. She had an amazing skill that led her children and grandchildren to believe they were the “favorite”. To this day, her family still argues about who the real favorite is and knows Lillian is smiling down on all of them with a twinkle in her eye letting them know they are all her favorite. Everyone loved her quick wit “tell it like it is” attitude accompanied by a little sass. She pulled it off wonderfully with her beautiful smile and laugh.
Family gatherings brought her the greatest pleasure and she enjoyed hosting the holidays. Her kind spirit shined bright as there was always room for another plate at her table – all were welcomed. She shared her love of food and made a huge “spread” single handedly. Her family thought she knew magic because all dishes were ready to be served at the same time! During the holidays, she enjoyed baking and gave family and friends so many cookies that often times they would last until the next holiday!
Lillian always said her middle name was “Go” as she loved to go places and experience new adventures. She had a zest for life and was always ready to have fun. She enjoyed many travels and trips over the years. Disneyland was by far her favorite place as proven by her Mickey Mouse collection. She was a kid at heart and never lost her sense of wonder and fun.
Her life was a living example of kindness, compassion and caring for others; she often went without so she could give to others. Lillian was a true-blue friend and she gave the “Best Hugs”. She deeply touched and impacted many lives with her servant heart.
This was evident in how she raised her family and the years she did childcare in her home. Additionally, she worked 25 years as a Care Provider, retiring at age 82.
Lillian lived at Channel Point Village in Hoquiam for the last 3½ years enjoying many new friendships, activities, and outings. She especially enjoyed the wonderful food, music and playing Flyswatter volleyball. She truly enjoyed when her family, Pastor Steve, church family and her friends came to visit.
The legacy of Lillian’s unconditional love for her family, kind spirit, passion, strong religious faith, zest for life, beauty and strength was and continues to be an inspiration to all who knew her. She will live on warming and filling our hearts with love forever.
Lillian is survived by her children: William (Maria) Howard, Jr., Allen (Margie) Howard, Gary (Sarah) Howard and Sally (Dave) Potter, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 2 great-grand dogs and 1 great-great grandchild; a sister, Lois (John) Karboski; a brother, Perry (MaryAnn) Wooster, and many nieces and nephews.
Lillian rejoins her loved ones and is now reunited with her husband Bill, daughter Beverly, brother Rodney Wooster and sister Virginia Fowler.
The family wishes to extend their greatest and warmest gratitude to all who cared for her at Channel Point as well as the Staff in the ER and the third floor at Grays Harbor Community Hospital.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM Friday, August 24th in the chapel at Fern Hill Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen
The family suggest memorials may be made to Central Park Neighborhood Church, 7010 Bryrwood Drive, Aberdeen, WA. 98520
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
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