We never truly lose those that pass on. Their physical presence may leave us, but the heart and the love are not gone, even in death. It is natural to mourn, but our sadness will be replaced with a presence which is so much still vibrant and full of life, even when she can’t be seen.
Lillian (Gorton) Eckstrom passed away peacefully after a period of declining health on May 20, at Ingraham Manor. She was 97 years young. Born in Scranton, Pa., on Nov. 1, 1924, to John and Violet Gorton, Lillian was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Eckstrom; cherished Mom to Robert R. Eckstrom, Sandra (Eckstrom) Bland and Kendall E. Eckstrom; and adoring grandmother of the late Emily May Eckstrom.
Lillian was a sister of the late Robert Gorton and late Verna Mitchell and is survived by sister Betty Abita of Mineola, Fla. Lillian was the companion of the late William Donovan with whom she spent time rooting for the Huskies in person or TV. After graduating from (Scranton) High School, Lillian moved to Waterbury Conn., where she met the love of her life, Bob, at a local dance. She married in 1947, moved to Bristol and spent the next 50 years together living, loving and laughing and raising their three children. Lillian worked at Bradlees, D&L and Crazy Bruce’s from which she retired at age 80.
She enjoyed dancing to big band music, playing Bingo and taking day trips to visit family and friends. Lillian was a home-body and a meticulous housekeeper. She maintained her home on Shagbark Drive in such a spotless condition by herself, even her caregivers and home health aides couldn’t keep up!
Lillian will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by her children – Bob and Joanna Eckstrom of Wilton, N.H., Sandy and Jim Bland of San Jose Calif., and Ken Eckstrom and his partner Kate Pierotti of Chatham, N.Y.; grandchildren Britt Eckstrom Gallant, Ingrid Eckstrom Gedraitis and Kendall ‘Woody’ Eckstrom; several great grandchildren; and sister Betty Abita. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews, her ‘adopted’ Donovan family, her caregivers – Desiree, Shaymaa, Hilde and Maria, neighbor Lynn and the staff at Ingraham Manor who made Lillian’s final days peaceful.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 27, at 11 a.m. at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, with The Rev. Kristen Kleiman officiating. Burial will follow in Peacedale Cemetery, Bristol. Relatives and Friends may call at Funk Funeral Home prior to the service on Friday between 10 and 11 a.m.
Please visit Lillian’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.