Lillian J. Piercy

Lillian J. Piercy, 89, of Seelyville, PA passed peacefully while surrounded by her family after a sudden illness on Friday morning, June 6 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin F. Piercy on Sept. 6, 1994.

She was born to the late John and Mildred (Bodie) Keast at the family's Dyberry Township farmhouse during a blizzard on November 20, 1935. Lillian spoke often of her early life and loved to share stories about growing up on the farm, the mischief she shared with her brothers and walking a mile and a half each way to attend the one-room Beere School.

In addition to raising her three children, Lillian worked as a secretary at Agway for many years and, prior to that, with Montgomery Ward and Katz Underwear Factory. She was a member of the Seelyville Union Chapel Sunday School, Central United Methodist Church, Seelyville Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, Red Hat Society, and the East Dyberry Cemetery Association, among other groups.

Lillian enjoyed a full social life that included bus trips with friends, concerts in the park, making quilts for the needy, delivering care packages to home-bound residents and keeping in touch with pen pals. When she was recovering from a cancer operation in 1981, she received so many get-well cards and flower arrangements the doctors assumed she must have been a school teacher.

She loved gardening and, up until a few years ago, planted vegetables every spring. In fact, it was in one of those vegetable beds where her daughter Joanne miraculously discovered Lillian's class ring from Pleasant Mount - a cherished heirloom once considered lost forever.

Lillian also served as her family's Farmer's Almanac, often reminding others of the dangers of late frosts because "it is Wayne County" after all.

Her favorite pastimes included competitive games of Scrabble with her granddaughter, countless word search puzzle books and her cherished Thursday staples: a trip to Gerty's salon and lunch with friends at Gretchen's.

She will be missed by so many, but especially by her family who loved her beyond measure. She was a loving mother and doting grandmother, beloved Aunt Tootie, sister, and friend.

Lillian is survived by her son, Gerald L. Piercy of Honesdale; a son-in-law, Kenneth Perry of Seelyville; a sister, Geraldine Villaume; a granddaughter, Valerie Perry Raskin and her husband Alex; a grandson, Kenneth Perry Jr. and his wife Alisha; grandson Junior and several nieces and nephews, including her frequent lunch date, George Schmitt.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Joanne M. Perry; her son, Franklin J. Piercy; and brothers and sisters: Faye Schmitt, Shirley Bennett, Byron Smith, Arthur Keast and Charles Keast.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 12 in the Wesley Room at Central United Methodist Church, 205 11th Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 with Rev. Eric L. Funk officiating.

Viewing will be Thursday in the Wesley Room from 1:00-2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lillian's memory to The Central United Methodist Church, 205 11th Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 or The Seelyville Fire Co., 1200 Bridge Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.

Interment will be private in the East Dyberry Cemetery, Honesdale, PA at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Howell Family Funeral Home, Inc., Edward R. Howell, Funeral Director, 269 Belmont Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. www.HowellFamilyFuneralHome.com.