Lillian Nettie (Favazza) McTigue, 83, recently of Franklin, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on Oct. 7, 2023.
Lillian was born in Gloucester on Nov. 8, 1939, the third child of the late Captain Benjamin and Nettie (Scola) Favazza. She grew up in Gloucester and worked at various local businesses. A mother of five, Lillian took a position in Boston at Prudential Insurance. A company transfer led her to live in Bucks County, Pa., for 15 years, before she pursued her dream to retire in Florida. She relished the warm weather, and she and her dear friend, the late Mary Turner, made easy friends in their new communities.
Throughout her life, Lillian was an active knitter, reader, baker (especially of Italian delights such as “S” cookies), Red Sox fan, puzzler, traveler/cruise-taker and film buff, who loved playing spirited card games with her family. She lacked pretense and possessed a warm sense of humor. Hearing-impaired since birth, Lillian read lips like a pro and overcame the challenge to live a full life, though she did not obtain her first hearing aids until age 19. No matter what her own circumstances were, Lillian would (and did) give the shirt off her back to help someone in need. Her greatest joy was playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made each one feel special by assembling her famous “birthday boxes,” which were full of surprises she’d choose or knit throughout the year. There aren’t a pair of feet or hands in Lillian’s extended family that did not wear cozy knits made with “Tender Loving Care by Grandma Lil.”
Lillian is survived by her children, Pamela (Kevin) Schmidt of North Wales, Pa., Jane (Bill Benson) Isaac of Cocoa, Fla., Michael (Diane) McTigue Jr. of Holland, Pa., and Rachel (Thomas) Morrison of Bristol, N.H.; her grandchildren Ashley Kessock, Niilo Makkonen, Kevin Schmidt, Tony Frontiero, Holly Mayer, Julia McTigue, Natalie McTigue, John McTigue, Travis Morrison, and Amanda Bowler; and her great-grandchildren, Benjamin Kessock, Jaxson Schmidt, Laila Schmidt, Thayil Mayer, Naima Mayer, Charles Vishton-Frontiero, Rosemarie Dodge, Levi Morrison, Remington Morrison, Skylar Bowler, and her namesake, Lily Ann Bowler. Lillian is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Jean Favazza and Anne Favazza, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends.
In addition to her parents, Lillian was predeceased by her daughter, Deborah Parsons, her sister Mary (James) Interrante, and her brothers, Samuel and Benjamin “Junior” Favazza.
A graveside service was held at Calvary Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 14, followed by a luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lillian’s name to Peabody Place (peabody.place/support), Franklin VNA & Hospice (franklinvna.org), or Boston Children’s Hospital (giving.childrenshospital.org).
Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester, Mass.
For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
