Lillian Frances MacDonald Habib

Lillian Frances MacDonald Habib passed away peacefully in her home of 30 years in the early morning hours of Sunday, 2 November. She was 99 years old.

Lillian, known to most as Lil, Mumma, or Nana, was an inspiration. The eldest of five children, she learned young how to be strong, resourceful, and reliable. Shortly after acquiescing to marry, she gave birth to five children in six years. After her husband’s passing, she raised four sons and a daughter as a single mom. She was determined and resilient; working as a switchboard operator to give her children the life she never had. She was an example to all the women who came after her; balancing a career and motherhood during a time that did not support that kind of strength and independence. She didn’t marry again until a year after her youngest child was wed.

Lillian was a force. She loved ballroom dancing, golfing, and bocce. She hated vegetables and anything green. She subsisted on red meat, potatoes, chocolate, cupcakes, wine and beer. She was a voracious reader of murder mysteries, but would skip past any pages depicting a protagonist romance.

Active until the end, Lillian could be found traveling or hosting with her children, golfing or bowling with her grandchildren, and crawling on the floor playing with her great grandchildren.

Lillian was feisty, which made her an exceptionally entertaining storyteller. She was wise and discerning, able to size up someone’s character upon brief interaction. She had a sixth sense for how the world worked, but never imposed her opinions on those uninterested in hearing them.

To know her was to love her, and she will be sorely missed. Upon her passing, Lillian was reunited with almost everyone she had ever known and loved, including two of her sons. She is survived by three children, six grandchildren, their spouses, six great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring.