Lillian B. Auger, 100, passed away peacefully on Friday September 22, 2023, with her family by her side at her home in Fairfax, Virginia.
Lillian was born in Manville, Rhode Island on January 25, 1923, the fifth of six children to George and Leona (Berard) Auger. She was the sister to the late Florence (Auger) Scanlon (Fairfax, VA) Gertrude C. Auger (Manville), George E. Auger (Manville), Maurice A. Auger (Paris, France), and Claire I Auger (Maplewood, NJ). Lillian was raised in the close knit French-Canadian community of Manville and that rich heritage influenced her entire life and personal interests, including cooking, traveling, and the arts.
Lillian graduated from St. Xavier's Academy in Providence and earned her nursing degree from Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing in 1945. Her passion to help those less fortunate was the foundation of her life in her professional career and her personal philanthropic commitments.
Lil's nursing career began at Butler Psychiatric Hospital in Providence, before relocating to New York City to work at Bellevue Hospital of Psychiatry. Lillian was recruited by the United Nations to lead the nurse’s team in the UN Medical Center in 1958. She led a diverse team of nurses representing many countries from across the globe for over 25 years. Lil shined in this position and was known to “treat everyone with equal attention and interest, and was a colleague to all and a dear friend to many". Lillian assisted with the needs of five US Presidents and numerous world leaders and dignitaries who passed through the UN Headquarters in Manhattan throughout this tenure. She also participated in several studies to support the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify vaccines for diseases around the world.
Lillian previously resided in Maplewood, NJ where she was an active member of the Maplewood Garden Club, and received many awards for her artistry in flower arranging competitions. She also volunteered regularly at the Veterans Administration Hospital, and supported local activities to help the poor through Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church where she was a longtime communicant.
Lil relocated to Fairfax, Virginia to live at Sunrise Assisted Living Home in 2012, where she was much loved and supported by a very caring team. Lil’s family are forever grateful to all those who provided her with top-notch care over the past several years.
Lillian is survived by her niece Christine F. Scanlon (Fairfax, VA), her two nephews Edward G. Scanlon (Herndon, VA), and James H. Scanlon (Fairfax, VA), a great niece and four great nephews, and cousins -- the Tellier (NJ) and Tancrell Families (MA), and many friends.
Our hope is that Lillian’s example of a kind, honest, respectful and generous heart is an inspiration to all. She will be deeply missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather to honor, remember and pray for Lillian at her Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday October 3, 2023 at 10:00 am in St. James Church, Division St. Manville. Lillian will be laid to rest alongside her beloved family in the Auger Family lot at St. James Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to: UNICEF USA, 125 Maiden Lane, NY, NY or www.unicef.org.
Arrangements are in care of the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 71 Central St. Manville.
www.menardfuneralhome.com