FRYEBURG — Esther “Tilly” Brennan, 82, died Jan. 11, 2011 at the Fryeburg Health Care Center after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Tilly was born on May 30, 1928 in South Weymouth, Mass. to Allen and Esther (Thompson) Hosmer. Growing up, she worked on her parents’ dairy farm. She graduated from Weymouth High School in 1946. As a teenager, Tilly discovered her love of horses, which would become one of her lifelong passions. She always enjoyed her Sunday rides with her father. She would spend many happy hours in her life showing horses and ponies, trail riding with friends, and teaching both her daughter and granddaughter to ride and love horses as well.

In December 1950, Tilly married the love of her life, William “Bill” Brennan. Together, they moved to Hanover, Mass. and in 1955 had their daughter Robin. Many of Tilly’s happiest memories were from those early years of her daughter’s life. In 1964, the family moved to Stow, where they lived a peaceful and quiet life, enjoying the company of friends and family, gardening, and working with horses and other animals.

In 1982, Tilly and her husband Bill moved to Fryeburg to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law Rex. The 80s were a wonderful time for Tilly; she and Bill built their retirement home together, traveled to Georgia and Florida where they spent their days walking the beach and enjoying time with each other. Her only grandchild was born in 1983, and being within walking distance of her daughter’s home, Tilly and Bill were very involved in their granddaughter’s life. They enjoyed combining her sewing skills and his woodworking skills to make wonderful toys and stuffed animals for their granddaughter. They were loving, supportive grandparents.

In December 1991, Bill passed away. They were married for 41 wonderful years. After his death, Tilly continued to lead a full life, being an important part of her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter’s lives, spending time with her sister Pinkie, honing her remarkable sewing skills, creating beautiful flower gardens, and spoiling her three cats.

In the few years of her life Parkinson’s began to take its toll on Tilly, but she maintained a positive outlook. When she moved to the Fryeburg Health Care Center in 2008, she made many close friends with the residents and staff there.

She is predeceased by her parents Esther and Allen Hosmer; her husband William Brennan.

He is survived by her daughter, Robin Wiley of Fryeburg; her granddaughter; her sister Ida “Pinkie” Wilfong of Stow; her niece and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held in the spring at Hillcrest Cemetery in Stow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Maine Humane Center, 279 River Road, Windham, ME 04062.

Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be expressed the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org