Pearl Mae (King) Lillie was the oldest child born to Florence E Fischer and Ivan R King in Banks, Oregon on February 14, 1927. Her parents and her siblings, Esther King Fisher and Leonard King all predeceased her. She graduated from Commerce High School in Portland, Oregon where she lived with her mother and siblings. She was introduced to her husband of 65 years, Neale W Lillie, by his sister Carol and brother Ed, who were friends with Pearl and Esther. Pearl had many friends and loved to go dancing with Esther, Carol, Ed and others.
Neale and Pearl were married in 1953 and proceeded to have 4 children: Howard, Harold, Marian and Marsha, along with his daughter Elaine from a previous marriage, who spent time with them on occasion. Several years later, after they thought they were done having children, were surprised by two more in quick succession: Martha and Harlan.
Pearl lived to take care of her family from her mother and siblings to her husband and children. She is survived by her children, Howard Lillie, Harold Lillie (Kim), Marian Lillie Wilhelm (Jim), Marsha Lillie Creswell-Jackson, Martha Lillie Sampson (Joaquin) and Harlan Lillie (Shelly); one stepdaughter, Elaine Stone (Terry); her grandchildren, Becky Lillie-Lux (John), Brenda Lillie Forster (James), Mariann Wilhelm-Uzo, John Wilhelm (Sandy), Angie Lillie, Ronda Lillie, Kieran Sampson, Reginald Roehm, Christine Roehm Mullins, Destiny Roehm, Michael McNally and her four-legged grand puppy, Princess Mae; her twenty-one great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.
Pearl worked for Deere and Co. for many years, possibly going on 30 years. She was a steadfast and loyal employee, who had many friends through her work. She continued to enjoy seeing her former colleagues for visits and retiree luncheons that her daughters made sure she was able to attend. In her final years, since Neale’s death in 2012, she has lived with her daughter Marsha in SE Portland. She and Marsha enjoyed spending time knitting dishcloths and hand towels, as well as attending bingo and being members of the American Legion Post 1. As she took her final breath, she was surrounded by her children and extended family. Her family likes to say that she was Love.
