1943
2017
December 29, 1943 - November 25, 2017 It is with great sadness that the family of Lillian Hendricks Jones announces her sudden passing after suffering a fall on Saturday, November 25, 2017, at the age of 73 years old. Lillian will be lovingly remembered by her children, Mika Jones and Anne-Marie Jones, and by her three sisters, nieces and nephews, and many friends. Lillian was born December 29, 1943 in Leesville Louisiana, the oldest daughter of O.E. "Pete" Hendricks and Marion Watson Hendricks. Lillian was raised throughout south Texas and in Mexico D.F. After graduating the University Texas at Austin, Lillian moved to Los Angeles, CA where she resided and worked for the next 50 years, until her recent move to Santa Fe, New Mexico in November of 2017. Lillian started her professional life in 1963 as a Parole Officer with the California Youth Authority, now known as the California Division of Juvenile Justice. After returning to graduate school, she became an historian and began teaching a range of topics within the field of American cultural and intellectual history. She served as Chair of the Ethnic and Women's Studies Department at Cal Poly Pomona for eight years, helping to pioneer an approach that integrated the two disciplines in one academic program while recognizing the distinct issues and structures that are examined in each discipline. Lillian went on to teach at Santa Monica College and, in 1993, was a founding Faculty member of the Santa Monica Women's College, an innovative pilot program and the first of its kind for any 2-year public college in the nation. After 30 years in academia, Lillian retired to pursue a life-long interest in art, design, and antiques. As an antique dealer in Pasadena specializing in folk art and southwest antiques, Lillian had an eye for finding beauty in antiques that were used by ordinary people. As she said, "I'm particularly a fan of rustic, southwest antiques. They are unique, one of a kind, and have personality. They aren't 'precious antiques,' but they are precious to me. A lot of the owners made them by whatever resources they had at hand, and they served a practical function in their everyday lives and uplifted the lives of these ordinary people with their beauty and detail." Lillian was a committed, loyal, and passionate daughter, sister, mother, friend, intellectual, and true advocate. She was also a lover of animals and a devoted companion to her pets. Lillian's enthusiasm for life, quick wit, and fearlessness will be missed by all whose lives she touched at some point in her journey. A memorial service in celebration of Lillian's life will be held at the end of January in Los Angeles, CA. Those who so desire may make contributions in memory of Lillian to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, or Heifer International.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Dear Lillian,
I am heartbroken to know that you are no longer with us. When I walked into your Intro to Women's Studies class at Cal Poly Pomona in 1982 I really had no idea what to expect. The class and you changed my life...my worldview, trajectory, expectations and career path. Like you I eventually became a professor of Gender Studies. I have never forgotten that it was your passion for equality, justice, liberty, and freedom for all people that drove my desire to likewise learn to question those with power and speak truth to power. Thank you from all my heart. Susan Thomas
Susan Thomas
School
April 14, 2023
I am so sad to hear of Lillian's passing. I was lucky to have crossed paths with Lillian as an undergraduate student at Santa Monica college in 2001. Lillian's history class was the first class I took after immigrating to the US in 1999 and it really did change my life. Lillian, you were the best teacher I have ever had. I wish I had the opportunity to tell you that face to face.
I will forever remember you and am truly grateful for you and all the joy you brought to this world.
Abigail Sarfatti
September 10, 2019
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