Lillian Cerolia

SOUTH PORTLAND — Lillian Stoddard Cerolia, 95, of Portland passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014 at her residence.
She was born in Portland, a daughter of Reuben and Eva Ryder Stoddard. She was educated in the Portland schools. She graduated from Deering High School in 1938 and Shaw’s Business College in 1939.
She grew up in Stroudwater, and was a member of Stroudwater Baptist Church. During WWII, she served in U.S. Navy in Cleveland, Ohio as a WAVE.
She was a bookkeeper for A.L. Griffin and retired at the age of 62. During her retirement years, she worked as a lunch aide at a local elementary school, where the kids fondly called her “Mrs. C.” At the age of 82, she returned to work at The Park Danforth in the dining room working with her granddaughter.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leo Cerolia; a daughter, Susan Gavett; and a grandson.
Surviving are two daughters, Lynne Nicholson of Copperas Cove, Texas and Nancy Smith of Portland; a brother, Warren Stoddard of Northville, Mich.; four grandchildren including Allison Coburn of Sebago; and five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, followed by funeral service at noon. Interment at Brooklawn Memorial Park.