Lillian O'Reilly, 85, passed away on Thursday, September 22, surrounded by her family.

Born to Eva and Theodore LeBlanc in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on March 18, 1937, Lil graduated from St. Bernard's High School in 1954. She met Thomas O'Reilly in 1962 when he was stationed at nearby Fort Devens. Tom asked Lil to marry him just two weeks after they met. She may have thought that a bit impulsive at the time, but she said yes, anyway, and they never looked back. They married on July 20, 1963, and their eldest son, Michael, was born the following year. They celebrated their 59th anniversary in July.

In 1966, they were stationed in Japan on the northern island of Hokkaido. It was an unforgettable three years for the young family. They took every chance they could to explore the beautiful island and its culture, and mementos from their years on Hokkaido decorate Lil and Tom's home to this day. Even more momentous, they welcomed their sons Sean and Kevin during their time there.

After leaving military service, the family moved to Maine in 1972, and their youngest child, Laurie, was born later that year. Lil focused on raising her four children as a stay-at-home mom for the next ten years. She was an anchor for the family, never missing any of the kids' many little league games, track meets, or band concerts.

Lil re-entered the workforce as an administrative assistant and later earned her insurance license. In her retirement, she enjoyed a quiet life. Lil loved reading and devoured "cozy" mysteries on her Kindle. She reveled in the simple pleasures of watching robins, squirrels, and other neighborhood wildlife play in the front yard. Always game for a road trip with Tom, Lil enjoyed exploring new places and old haunts. And she especially loved visiting with her three grandchildren.

Lil loved to laugh – and her laugh was infectious. When sharing her favorite stories of her childhood or her children's or grandchildren's antics, she laughed anew every time, letting her listeners delight not only in the story itself but in her joy in retelling it.

Lil will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Lil is survived by her husband, Tom; her three sons, Michael and his wife Joanne, Sean and his wife Carol, and Kevin and his wife Nancy; her daughter, Laurie; her three grandchildren, Madison, Jake, and Felicia; and her sister, Elaine Palmer and Elaine's husband, Dick, and children, Karen and Marcus.

Visiting hours celebrating Lil's life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Street, South Portland. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 29, at St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth. A reception will follow at Willows Restaurant, 740 Broadway, South Portland.