SOUTH PARIS — Lillian Myra (Rand) Rich passed away peacefully on May 8, 2024, at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris after a brief illness.

She was born at Bridgton Hospital on May 28, 1931, and grew up on the family farm at Maple Ridge in Harrison. She attended schools in Harrison and Norway and graduated from Bridgton High School. After high school, she worked as a secretary/switch-board operator at The Pownal State School in New Gloucester.

She later joined the U.S. Air Force serving from 1950-1954, she was a Staff Sgt. Her first assignment direct from basic training at Lackland AF Base in San Antonio, Texas, was as secretary/stenographer at the base headquarters building. Second she was assigned to AF Technical Training at Gulfport, Miss. Third assignment was at Randolph AF Base, Texas, where she worked in the headquarters building and also worked as a secretary to the Base Inspector General. Her last assignment was to Allied Air forces Central Europe (Chief arm of the NATO) at Fontainebleau, France.

Lillian met and married Hubert Raymond Rich in 1953, while they were both serving in the U.S. Air Force as enlisted personnel with NATO Headquarters in Fontainebleau, France.

After retirement from the Air Force, they lived in Bolsters Mills for 25 years before she and Hubert moved to Florida in 1988. They enjoyed many happy years there, before returning to Maine to be close to family. Lillian enjoyed her family and friends, knitting, crocheting, history, reading and crossword puzzles. During her last years while residing at the Veterans Home, she enjoyed playing bingo, music events, and many more functions provided by the Activity Department.

She is survived by her daughter, Rita Lynne (Rich) Roby and her husband, Dr. Scott Roby of Fryeburg; three grandchildren, Kyle Merton Kimball and his wife Dana Kimball of Waterford, Kelly (Kimball) Parrott of Harrison, and Brenna Lee (Bergmann) Cordner and her husband Chadwick Cordner of Kingsley, Mich.; and five great-grandchildren: Jacoby Parrott, Betty Maura Cordner, Maple Leonora Cordner, Welles Robert Lee Cordner and Rook Edwin Richard Cordner.

She was predeceased by her husband Hubert Raymond Rich (1-1-2015); her daughter Susan Renee (Rich) Bergmann (12-05-2019); her son Victor Scott Rich (1-28-2023); her parents: Berle Edbert Rand and Avis Myra (Merrill) Rand; brothers Arthur Rand, Paul Rand, John Rand; and sister Linda Avis (Rand) Knight.

Private graveside funeral services will be held at a later date at Harrison Village Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Maine Veterans Home Activity Fund, 477 High St., South Paris, ME 04281; https:// mainevets.org/locations/southparisdonations/

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com