Obituary - Lilian Makin

Lilian Makin, age 91, was an independent, warm, and loving lady with a huge heart. Born in North Manchester (England) the only and much-loved child of Lillian and Arthur Barrett. Evacuated to the country during WW11, that didn’t last long! During a visit home for Christmas mother and daughter decided they missed each other too much so home she stayed. Father was away for 6 years in the forces with very few visits home and so returned to a grown-up daughter.

Ballroom Dancing was the big social activity of the time with dances every Friday and Saturday and here she met Harold. After a slow start they were married in January 1950, sadly Harold passed away 2 months before their 50th anniversary.

Before starting a family, Lilian and Harold enjoyed cycling, hiking and hosteling while also running the local Youth Hostel Association group in Droylsden Greater Manchester. They both shared a lifelong love for Manchester United football club, which they passed on to their daughters and granddaughters. Watching the “match’ with family was something Lilian enjoyed to the end.

After a few years at home to have 2 daughters Lilian returned to work managing an office for a family business in the center of Manchester. Over the next 40 years she enjoyed a variety of work including 10 years in a bakery business with Harold being a baker and Lilian running the shop.

In 1980 they moved to a village an hour from Manchester and in addition to working became part of the village life. Lilian worked until she was 73 after an earlier attempt at retirement. At this time, she became more involved in the village community organizing groups, running committees, balancing books, and offering transport for the “elderly”!

Lilian was born to a Methodist Father and a Baptist Mother. Baptized twice as neither parent thought the other one was real!!! For many years she was a member of the Pentecostal church but when the local church moved, she became involved in the United Reform church. Her faith was a huge part of who she was and guided/helped her through many of life’s challenges. Sharing her faith with her family was an important part of who she was.

After many visits to the USA to spend time with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters Lilian emigrated at the age of 88, never too old to try something new!

After Lilian’s burst of physical activity as a young woman she found her formula for living a long life -an aversion to healthy food, exercise and fresh air! In addition to village life Lilian was never happier than reading a good book especially on her kindle where she could also surf the net, enjoy her Facebook and challenge her mind with word games.

Lilian passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her adoring family. I am sure she will be reorganizing heaven while partying with her loved ones and friends including Harold and her daughter Kathryn.