Obituary of Lillian J Parker

Lillian Jane Parker, 89, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 24th. She is predeceased by her loving husband, Richard L. Parker, parents, Christine and John Mackenzie, siblings, Gladys Ryan, Emerson MacKenzie, and Katherine Williamson. She is survived by her children, Cheryl Bolas (Jay), Karen Calkin (Bill), and grandchildren, Tyler, Troy, and Lynsey Calkin, Madeleine and Joshua Bolas, brother, Robert MacKenzie, niece, Kathy Donahue, and nephew, Neil Williamson. Jane was born on December 30, 1933, in Somerville, Massachusetts. She graduated from Somerville High School and began a job as a teller at a local bank in Davis Square. She met the love of her life at a wedding in Boston, where she was a bridesmaid, and he was an usher. Jane and Richard married and moved to Vestal for Richard's job with IBM. Jane was a stay-at-home Mom for 9 years before she began a lifelong devotion to community service. She began by patterning for a child who was physically and mentally impaired. She volunteered at Ideal Hospital, served on the Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of the Endicott Women's Club. She and her closest friend, Ingrid Elliott, provided funeral lunches and dinners at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Vestal. Eventually they developed a small catering business for weddings and special events. After the closing of St. Andrew's, Jane became a devout member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Endicott. She continued to be involved in funeral luncheons and dinners for special occasions. As a member of St. Paul's, she also served as a Eucharistic and lay minister. Jane enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling to Atlanta and winters in Florida. She was an avid reader, an excellent cook, and an extremely supportive friend. Jane and Richard moved to The Hearth at Castle Gardens shortly before Richard passed away. She developed many great friendships and recently started playing Bingo several times a week and was very enthusiastic when she was a winner! Visitation will be on Thursday, November 30th from 11:00am – 12:00pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Jefferson Street, Endicott. Funeral service will follow. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to Mercy House of Endicott or St. Paul's Episcopal Church.