LILLIAN JANE CHILDS CONNOLE

Lillian Jane Childs Connole, of Argyle, TX, passed away August 19, 2011. She was 56. Lillian was born April 27, 1955, in Westbury, NY, to Brice and Jean Childs. She was one of seven children. Lillian graduated from Westbury High School in 1973. She joined the United States Navy in 1974, and trained as a cryptologist (CTO), eventually obtaining the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. She was a Vietnam-era veteran receiving medals for National Defense, Good Conduct, meritorious service commendation and foreign duty overseas commendation. She completed training in Orlando, FL; Navy A-schools in Pensacola, FL, and specialized training at Goodfellow AFB in Texas; she had subsequent tours of duty at the Pentagon and Naval Station, Rota, Spain where she was Honorably Discharged in 1979. Lillian met her husband, Michael, originally of Kansas City, MO, while both were stationed with the Navy in Rota, Spain. They married in November of 1977 in Westbury, NY, and returned from Spain in 1979, settling in Kansas City, MO. They lived for a time in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arizona before settling in Texas in 1994. Lillian was an active member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine. She was a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies' Auxiliary, Council 7099. She was a leader for various Girl Scout troops over the years and was active with the Boy Scouts of America in Lewisville. Lillian most recently worked with Lewisville ISD as a substitute teacher. Lillian is survived by her husband of nearly 34 years, Michael; their daughters: Michele Samuelson, of Austin, TX; Kathleen, of Argyle, TX; Jaclyn, of Round Rock, TX; and their son, Joseph, of Argyle; her sister, Edith and family, in Rockwall, TX; her brother, William and his family, in Poughkeepsie, NY; her brother, John, in Amityville, NY; her brother, Donald and his family, in Amityville, NY. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Brice; and brothers, James and Brice. Funeral mass will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, August 25, 2011, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine, Texas. Interment with full military honors will be held 12:30 p.m., at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Lewisville with Rosary being recited at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations be made to either the Paralyzed Veterans of America or the ALS Association in Lillian's name.