Lillie Tawney's Obituary
Lakeview-Lillie (Benson) Tawney, age 100, of Lakeview passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2020, in Greenville at Spectrum Health United Hospital. She was born in Northwich, Cheshire, England on May 2, 1920 to Sidney Walter and Amy Elizabeth (Tomlinson) Benson. Lillie was raised in Northwich, and endured the effects of WWII as a young lady. She was employed in a sewing factory before meeting Frank Allison, a US solider, and moving to Lakeview where she spent the rest of her life. She embraced the Lakeview community, becoming employed at Kelsey Memorial Hospital in the housekeeping department for 50 years, before retiring in 2007. Lillie was married to Robert Tawney in 1976 and they enjoyed 17 years together before his passing in 1993. She went back to school at age 60, and earned her high school diploma, graduating with the Lakeview class of 1982. Lillie loved life. She was very social, and had a kind word for everyone she met; never loosing her distinct British accent and sayings she learned as a girl. She loved dancing of every kind. She belonged to the Danish Festival dance troupe, "singing and dancing with the Danes", as she called it, and was active in a weekly country line dancing group until the age of 91. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She would leave her tree up until Easter every year just so she could enjoy it longer. Lillie also loved to shop, but always for a good bargain. She bought gifts for everyone at Christmas and had a stash of extra gifts for unexpected occasions. Lillie would travel back to England every year, always treating one of her grandchildren or a fellow employee to the trip, just to show off her homeland and to spend time with her family that was still there. She never lost the love of sewing or the taste for good fish n chips. Lillie was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church.
Lillie is survived by her children, Allan (Karen Moyer) Allison, Jerry Allison, Beverly (Eugene) Weatherwax, Vance (Sue) Tawney, Roger Tawney, Janice (Donald) Hardy; grandchildren, Deborah (David) Rhoades, Amber (Donnie) Palmer, Jennie MacKenzie, Jennie Lemoine, Nicolas Withey, Christopher Lowery; 40 extended grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 37 great-great grandchildren; 1 great-great-great grandchild; her extended family in England; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Frank Allison and Robert Tawney; her parents; and her siblings, Walter, Tom, Nellie, Amy and Ada.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Brigham Funeral Chapel in Lakeview with Pastor John Martin officiating. The family will greet friends from 10:00 AM until time of service. Interment at the Village of Lakeview will be immediately following.
Condolences to the family may be made by utilizing the guestbook at www. brighamfuneralchapel. com
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