Grace A. Lilly

Oneida-Grace A. Lilly, 94, passed peacefully on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Oneida Healthcare’s Extended Care Center, with the love and support of her, son Milton, at her side.

She was born in Canastota, on May 12, 1928, the daughter of the late Albert and Ethel Burlingame James.  Grace attended the former one room school house that was located on Route 31; and was a graduate of the Class of 1945 from Canastota High School.  She lived the majority of her life in Canastota.  She was a devoted single mother raising three children.   She worked hard to provide for her children and made sure they had a loving home.  Grace had worked for, and retired from, the former Chase Lincoln Bank starting as a Bank Teller, working her way up to and Accounts Manager. She had previously worked for Lee Manufacturing of Canastota, and Jax’s Snacks of Oneida.  In her retirement, Grace lived at the Oneida Towers II, she enjoyed the company and friendship of the Towers Community.

She attended the First United Methodist Church of Oneida.

Grace is survived by her beloved children and their spouses, Milton and Helen Lilly of Camden, David and Mary Lilly of Phoenix, AZ, and Debbie and Manual Gonzales of Albuquerque, NM; her five cherished grandchildren; and her six beloved great- grandchildren. Grace is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Albert and Ethel, her brothers: Albert, Frank, Jules, and Paul.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff and Doctors that cared for Grace during her stay at the Oneida ECF. 

In keeping with Grace’s wishes, there will be private funeral services will be held. Interment will be made in Oneida Lake Cemetery.  Grace’s family have entrusted their care to Jeffrey T. Paul, Funeral Director, at the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home, 322 Washington Avenue in Oneida.  To offer a message of condolence or share a memory, please visit: coolican-mcsweeney.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grace A. Lilly, please visit our floral store.