Lillian H. Scanlon
Lillian H. Scanlon of Southampton died at Southampton Hospital on Wednesday, October 19, after a sudden illness. She was 86.
Known by her family and friends as Lil, she was born in Southampton on March 1, 1925, to Florence and Louis Willumsen. She lived with her family, including one sister, Arlene, and two brothers, Louis and Richard, in their home on Little Plains Road in Southampton, and attended local schools. During her childhood, Ms. Scanlon and some of her classmates took after-school sewing lessons at St. John’s Episcopal Church that were conducted by the rector’s wife, Mrs. Samuel L. Fish. She was a natural and quickly developed a passion for sewing and all types of stitchery. During the summers of her high school years she worked doing clothing alterations for some of the exclusive women’s shops on Jobs Lane.
Upon graduating from high school, Ms. Scanlon and her sister moved to Brooklyn and lived with an aunt. She took business courses at a local college and then took a job with Sperry Gyroscope to work in their accounting department. In 1944, she returned to Southampton and wed Eugene F. Scanlon Jr. of Southampton. In 1947, they built their home on Post Lane in Southampton Village and raised a family of three: Eugene III, Lois and David.
Ms. Scanlon was employed by E.A. Hildreth’s Department Store in Southampton where she was able to complement her love of sewing, knitting and crocheting by managing the dry goods department for 35 years. She was known throughout the community as the person to go to for help and advice for sewing, knitting, or crocheting and was always helping friends with clothing alterations, hemming and mending. When she became a grandmother, she spent countless hours creating beautiful clothes for her grandchildren. Later on, she became known for knitting hats that she would distribute wherever needed. Throughout the years, Ms. Scanlon also waitressed and hosted at John Duck Jr. Restaurant in Southampton, where her husband, Gene, was a bartender.
Upon retiring from John Duck’s and Hildreth’s, Ms. Scanlon volunteered and managed St. Ann’s Thrift Shop in Bridgehampton for a number of years. She was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and volunteered on its Altar Guild.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1990. Declining health combined with not being able to maintain her daily life alone led to the decision to move in with her eldest son, Gene, and his wife Diane. There she enjoyed crocheting lap robe afghans for the residents of local veteran’s homes and hospitals and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her children, Gene Scanlon of Southampton, David Scanlon of Hawaii, Lois Scanlon of Virginia; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held on Sunday, October 23, at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral service took place on Monday, October 24, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, also in Southampton; the Reverend Peter Larsen officiated. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 100 South Main Street, Southampton, NY 11968.
on Oct 25, 2011