Lydia Evans Highley Willits

Lydia Evans Highley Willits of West Chester Lydia Evans Highley Willits, 99, of West Chester and St. Petersburg, Fla., passed away on Dec. 23, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Lydia was born in Malvern on Oct. 7, 1913, the daughter of the late Aida Evans and Charles Corson Highley. Lydia attended West Chester Friends School and Swarthmore College, graduating in 1935 with a B.A. in political science. At Swarthmore, she was the captain of the women's swim team and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Following graduation, Lydia moved to New York City to work with Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood. Lydia married the late William Lincoln Willits at Willistown Friends Meeting in 1942. Lydia spent most of her career at the National Bank of Malvern, Malvern, a bank founded by her grandfather in 1884. She served in many roles at the bank, including president, and was on the board of directors for over 50 years. Lydia was a lifelong advocate for women's rights. She was a member of West Chester Friends Meeting, West Chester Golf and Country Club, Pasadena Yacht and Country Club, the Welcome Society, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Lydia enjoyed purchasing and managing rental properties, she was an avid golfer and, in her later years, played bridge competitively. Lydia was preceded in death by her husband, William Lincoln Willits, and her brother, George Norman Highley. She is survived by her two daughters, Barbara Willits Shipp of Malvern, and Lydia Willits Bartholomew of West Chester; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services at Willistown Friends Meeting will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1144 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, or West Chester Friends School, 415 North High Street, West Chester, PA 19380.