Howard, Lillian F. (Vaillancourt), 87, passed away Saturday morning, February 25, at the Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Chelmsford.
She was the wife of Ellery Joseph Howard, who predeceased her in 1980. Born in Lowell on August 27, 1924, Lillian was raised and educated in Lowell. She took great pride in supporting the war effort in the ‘40’s by working in various jobs that provided supplies to the troops. Always a Lowell girl, she loved living in the ‘South End’, especially among her wonderful friends and neighbors in the Back Central Street area.
Her greatest passion was spending time in the local movie theaters watching old movies, especially anything that featured Clark Gable. Such a devoted fan on his that she travelled to Los Angeles in the 60’s to stand in his footprints outside of Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
Lillian leaves behind one daughter, Diane Howard, a teacher at Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, a Godson, Edward Adams of Lowell, and her beloved niece, Donna Sullivan a familiar sight at Sunny Acres visiting her aunt, smuggling in contraband food items that Lillian would secretly ‘hint’ at. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Eugene Vaillancourt of Boston and Mrs. Doris Vaillancourt of Chelmsford, Mr. William Howard and his wife, Rita of Lowell and Mr. George Howard of Maine. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her infant son, Ellery Joseph Howard Jr, and her six siblings, Eugene, Francis, Marie, Madeline, Theresa and Patricia.
Her family is grateful to the staff of the Sunny Acres Nursing Home for the wonderful care provided to Lillian during her time there.
A funeral service will be held on Friday March 2, 2012 at 12:30 PM in the chapel at St. Patrick Cemetery, 1251 Gorham St. Lowell, MA 01852. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
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Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home
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