Lillian Katherine (Wentworth) Hamlin

Lillian Katherine Wentworth Hamlin

December 10, 1919 — May 27, 2022

“Thank You For Today”

Lillian died peacefully in her own bed with her family near her.

How do we sum up a life of over 102 years in a few paragraphs.  It is impossible, but here is a little about her:

She was born in northern Iowa, the second eldest in a family of nine.  As the oldest girl, she had responsibilites beyond her age to help her mother with all the everyday tasks that must be done in a large farming family.  One of the jobs that gave her the most joy, both at the time and as she reminisced over the years, was caring for one of her brothers, a twin, from his birth. Her mother could only care for one child so Lillian, at age 11, (with help from her younger sister Pearl)  was given baby Delbert to care for.  She loved doing it.  Most little girls have a doll, she had a baby.  The other tasks like cleaning the dinner table, washing the dishes every night and gathering eggs under the corn crib—well, lets just say that these were not tasks she loved.  But she did them well and dutifully, because that was the kind of person she was.

Lillian grew to be a caring and beautiful young woman who fell in love with a Norwegian guy from the next town over.  He also was the second born, the oldest boy and, like Lillian, tasked with jobs to help his family survive.  Life was tough in the 20s and 30s for hardworking families in Iowa.  However this young man wanted to see the world so he joined the Navy.  It was a few years before World War II when he wrote Lillian saying “I can’t live without you. Grab a train. Come to Virginia and lets get married.”  She gleefully did and they married in July 1940.  The two of them had exciting adventures exploring San Francisco, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC to name just a few. They ran up the hills of Arlington National Cemetery and breathlessly saw Franklin D. Roosevelt as he talked about the coming war.  They knew their world was about to change.  Their carefree life was over for a while.

She returned to her parents’ farm in Iowa and waited patiently while her husband was fighting for freedom on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.  It was a frightening time as there was little communication; but, finally, he safely came home.  He hurried to Iowa, gathered up his bride, his baby, and they lived happily ever after.

That ever after continued to be adventurous with Elmer being frequently being sent to new duty postings.  Lillian drove their car with her young daughter as company, to their new homes.  She drove across country three times with a small child—in the 40s!   She got to know Route 66 pretty well.

Lilian and Elmer finally settled on the Space Coast in Florida.   They saw the launches of our nation’s space program from the first unmanned spacecraft to the space shuttle.  In Lillian’s first years of life her transportation was a horse and wagon (and in the winter a horse drawn sleigh with actual bells); she lived to see men walk on the moon and live in a Space Station.  She was able to witness the entire world change before her eyes.

Lillian had an uncommon combination of grit and elegance.  She wasn’t a complainer:  if she couldn’t fix a problem, she would move on.  She was an accomplished seamstress who could sew a gorgeous dress after looking at it in a magazine.  She always looked fresh and polished.  An elementary school friend of her daughter once asked “Is your mom a movie star?”  She was a great example to all who knew her.  She managed to be both frugal and generous in her life.  She was a homemaker who made a home full of love and joy and laughter (and food).  Lillian  loved traveling.  She went through the Panama Canal in her later years because Elmer had done it on a Navy Aircraft Carrier and she just wanted to see what it was like.

Lillian was a dedicated Navy wife and continued to support Naval activities long after Elmer retired.  She was active in The Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve holding every local office—most more than once.  She was a patriotic woman and one of her proudest times was being asked to carry the American Flag during a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The Pledge of Allegiance was more than mouthing words; it was a meaningful tribute to her country.

She lived a life a service.  She volunteered with the American Red Cross for over 40 years.  Her final job with the Red Cross was at the information desk at the Patrick Air Force Base Clinic.  Almost every new Base Commander would come by, shake her hand and have an official photograph made with her as part their welcome to the base!

She had a strong faith in God and was active in the church wherever she lived.  She attended the Patrick Air Force Base Protestant Chapel for 57 years.  Lillian taught Sunday school for many years as she loved being around young children.  She was also an active member of the choir for decades.  Her voice brought joy to many.

In her late nineties she came to live with Christine and Pete in Albuquerque, where she lived until her death.  As she was being tucked into bed at night, she always gave them each a kiss and said “Thank You For Today.”  That was the way she lived her entire life.  She lived it in gratitude and with love.  She was such a welcome addition to their home.

Lillian is survived by her daughter Christine (Crick) and husband Pete Adolph.  She was a beloved Oma to her grandson, Eric Britt and his wife Gwen. Eric spent many summers with his Oma at the beach in Florida.  Lillian also has loving step grandchildren, Mandy (Ian) Fore, Susie (Todd) Cone, Steve (Karen Parfitt) Adolph, and Rob (Bobbi) Adolph.   A wonderful pleasure of living to be 102 is getting to know your great grandchildren.  Her great-granddaughter Allie (Sean) Fitzgerald brought Lillian’s great-great-granddaughter to celebrate Lillian’s 100th birthday.  Greatgrandsons Jasper Fore and Galen Adolph, in particular, loved visiting with Grandma Lillian and listening to her stories.  They brought young joy into her life.

Lillian is survived by sisters Pearle Lilyard and Vivian McDermott, by brothers Delbert Wentworth (Joyce)  and Butch Wentworth and by sister-in-law Dee Zinnel.   She has numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.  She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer, by brothers Harold Wentworth, Donald Wentworth, John Wentworth, and by sister Iona Richardson.  Her parents were Raymond Arden Wentworth and Alberdena Sleeper Lamping Wentworth.

There will be a memorial service in Iowa on August 18, 2022, 1:30 p.m. at the Swea City (Iowa) Methodist Church.  She will be buried with her husband, Elmer, at Bushnell National Cemetery in Florida.

If you wish to remember Lillian with a donation, her favorite charity was The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home (PO Box 6299, Deltona, Florida 32728-9988).