Lillian "Lil" Schilling

She was born on the family homestead in Ninaview, Colorado on June 4, 1922 to Martha and Seward Louis Andrews Sr. Her early homestead life experience included surviving the dust bowl years and the great depression, no electricity or running water, taking care of numerous farm animals, and a steady diet of prairie jack rabbits. In 1932, at age 10, she won the Las Animas County cow milking championship, a local honor for which she received the one-dollar grand prize. In 1935, Lil’s family moved to Gulnare, Colorado where they owned and operated the general store. She graduated from Aguilar high school in 1939. She was awarded a full four-year scholarship to the University of Denver however her father would not allow her to attend because “she was just going to get married anyway and didn’t need a college education”. After graduation, she moved to Denver, where she worked at Rose Hospital and later at the Remington Arms munitions factory to support the war effort.

Lil met her late husband Bill at a USO dance in Denver in 1945, and they married in February 1947. In 1957, they moved from Denver to Scottsdale, Arizona and later moved to Hygiene, Colorado in 1962. In addition to raising 3 children, she was a small business owner, realtor, professional seamstress, community volunteer and AFS exchange parent. Throughout her life, she enjoyed dancing, cooking, baking, playing bridge and making new friends. She was known for her homemade applesauce and cinnamon rolls.

In 1998, she met Les Gaylord whom remained her constant companion until his death in 2016. During their time together, they enjoyed winters in Mesa, Arizona. They also enjoying traveling the world, attending jazz festivals and car road racing events. Lil was a highly accomplished shuffleboard player, having won numerous tournaments - most notably the Arizona Senior Olympics Gold medal. In that same year she competed in the Boulder-Boulder marathon. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Family was always her first priority. She cherished and loved all her friends. Lil asked that you remember her when you’re hiking a beautiful mountain, watching a gorgeous sunset or dancing with your sweetheart and don’t forget to eat lots of chocolate.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, son John, daughter-in-law Sharon, siblings Margaret, Verdon, Seward Louis Jr., and June, and Les Gaylord. She is survived by her son Jim (Noreen) Schilling, daughter Judy (Dave) Lambott, AFS daughter Maritza Monge (Cris), granddaughter Natalie (Blake) Brescian, grandsons Tyler (Stacie) Schilling and Kyle (Stacey) Schilling, and great grandchildren Grayson Brescian, Collin, Kaylie, Emerie, Jarrett, Corbin, Maci Schilling and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. Contributions in her name can be made to The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Attn: Dept. 5930, PO Box 4110, Woburn, MA 01888 or the Greenfield Village Resort, 111 S. Greenfield Road, Mesa, AZ 85206 (please note your donation is for the shuffleboard club in memory of Lil Schilling).