Lillian K Bennett

Lillian Savage De Pew Bennett, 108 years old, formerly of Waukegan, IL. passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at her son’s home in Spring Grove, IL with her son by her side. Lillian was born on February 24, 1916 in Waukegan, IL to Elsie and Ira Lee Savage.

Lillian was a long term resident of Waukegan with a 10 year span of time spent in Holiday FL. She was in the first graduating class from Whittier Grade School in 1929. In 1935 Lillian married Alfred C. De Pew, soon after they started a family and had two boys and two girls over a span of 17 years, David, Marie, Kathy and Dean and a foster son Bob Hammond. Alfred left to serve our country on April 6, 1944. This left Lillian to raise David and Marie on her own. She started working at a grocery store to help make ends meet. David, Marie and Kathy grew up, got married and moved out. In 1964 the family moved to Lindenhurst, IL and stayed there until Alfred passed away in 1973. Lillian later moved to Grayslake, IL then to Holiday Florida Where she was actively involved in Crime Watch for the neighborhood she lived in.. In 1996 she came back to Waukegan IL to be closer to her Son, David because he was in failing health. In 2012 Dean moved back from Arizona to Waukegan to help care for her. In February of 2024 the Village of Spring Grove, IL issued a proclamation in her honor commemorating many of the changes and innovations that she had witnessed over her 108 years. The proclamation also noted that she even survived the "wrath” of her Grand Mother when she was caught dancing The Charleston. Lillian enjoyed working and had a few jobs over the years, including Lane‘s Dress Shop in Waukegan, a gift shop in Linden Plaza in Lindenhurst. She went to work at Jean Nicole in the Lakehurst Mall in 1973 after Alfred passed away. Lillian was The Assistant Manager for Jean Nicole for a few years, she later stepped down and remained working on the sales floor until she retired after a total of 11 years.

Lillian had 10 GrandChildren, 14 Great GrandChildren, 5 Grand GrandChildren, by marriage, 11 Great Great GrandChildren, 5 Great Great GrandChildren, by marriage, and 5 Great Great Great GrandChildren, by marriage.... creating in effect, 6 generations, for a total of 35 Grandchildren and grand total of 51.

Lillian is survived by her daughter Marie Vayr and a son Dean De Pew, and Bob Hammond. 8 GrandChildren, 14 Great GrandChildren, 11 Great Great GrandChildren.

Lillian is predeceased by her Parents, Ira Lee and Elsie Savage, 3 brothers, 2 husbands, Alfred C. De Pew and Walter Bennett, 2 children David De Pew and Kathy Dornbusch, a Son in law, Dino Vayr, a daughter in law, Donna De Pew and 2 GrandChildren.

Lillian has been a guiding light for many and an inspiration to all of us who have been blessed with receiving her love and affection.

Visitation will be at Marsh Funeral Home 305 N. Cemetery Rd Gurnee, IL 60031 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on December 27, 2024 with a graveside service following at Highland Memorial Park 33100 N. Hunt Club Rd. Libertyville IL 60048

A special thank you to STAR Hospice for their professionalism and attentive care to our Mother over the last 14 months. Especially Sandy, Megan, Sharella, Karen, Chris and Volunteer Brian