M. Lillian Milanese ... formerly of Lebanon, Maine

ROCHESTER - M. Lillian Milanese, (1924-2024), died on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the age of 99. Born in Malden, Mass., to Anna Falone and Vincenzo Petris, she graduated from Malden High School. Lillian met Raymond, her husband of 67 years on a blind date. They were then married on Dec. 4, 1943, before he participated in the D-day invasion. They raised three boys: Bob, Bill, and Barry. Later, they moved from Malden to South Lebanon, Maine, then to Rochester. Lillian taught herself short-hand, which helped her secretarial career, which included working at the office of the Rochester Superintendent of schools.

During WWII, she modeled a military outfit for the Women's Army Corp (WAC's), then worked in Boston at Jordan Marsh in the purchasing department. She was the secretary for the family business (Comet Inc) that installed gasoline pumps in the late 1950s. Lillian had an amazing gift as, Dad would say, "of turning a nickel into a dollar," while raising a family of five. She highly valued education and passed her life-long love of reading to her sons. She is quoted in the children's section of the East Rochester Library: "Learn to read, so you can read to learn."

Later in life, she resided at Maple Suites, then Mast Landing prior to going to Dover Center for Health and Rehabilitation until she passed away.

Lillian is survived by her sister, Linda Willard, and sons Bob and Barry and their wives, nephews, nieces and several grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Ray, and son Bill.