Lillian "Lil" Cottrell

(Asbury Park Press)

LILLIAN "LIL" COTTRELL
AGE: 79 JACKSON
Lillian "Lil" Cottrell, 79, of Jackson, passed from this world peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 11, surrounded by her family. Lillian was born and raised in Freehold, moving to Jackson 58 years ago with her soulmate and loving husband, Mel Cottrell. Lillian graduated from Freehold Borough High School. Lillian married Mel and started a family, where she was a loving and devoted mother and wife. Lillian was a lifetime member of the Jackson Regular Republican Club and enjoyed all the campaigns and the extended family she met while being there. Lil was known as "Miss Lily" of Jackson to her many and close friends and to her family. She enjoyed her family the most, and enjoyed crossword puzzles, books, reality TV shows and collecting elephants. Elvis Presley was her idol. She will be remembered for her kind heart, special smile and her wonderful laugh. Her will of life was overwhelming and it proved that she could beat any barrier that faced her. Lil was a wonderful mother, homemaker and a communicant of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Jackson.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna Byk; her brother, Edward Byk; and her husband, Assemblyman Melvin Cottrell, in 2002. She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Maryann Cottrell of Glassboro, Jackie and Steve Burns of Jackson, and Rosemary and John Mennona of Toms River; her sister, Sophie Snodgrass of Freehold; her two brothers, John Byk of Freehold, and Peter Byk of Maryland; her grandchildren, Tommy and Brittany Sloop, Steven Burns, and John and Melanie Mennona; her great-grandchild, River Sloop; her beloved caretaker and angel from God, Lydia; her dearest friends, Bubbles and Joey; the Glory family; Annie; and her beloved cat, "Sicka".
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the George S. Hassler Funeral Home, 980 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. A funeral gathering will be offered at 8:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Her Funeral Liturgy will follow at 9:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. Interment will follow in Harmony Cemetery, Harmony Road, Jackson. If so desired, donations may be made in memory of Lillian Cottrell to The Melvin Cottrell Scholarship Fund of Jackson, c/o Rosemary Mennona, 381 Killarney Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753, or to The ARC, Ocean County Chapter, 815 Cedar Bridge Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701, and would greatly be appreciated. For directions and further information, please visit www. hasslerfuneralhome.com.