Lillian Catherine Wagner

On Thursday, September 24, 2020 Lillian Catherine Wagner (nee Pilkerton), 88, of Ellicott City, MD passed away peacefully.  She was born in Baltimore, MD on September 28, 1931, the sixth daughter of the late Louis Adrian Pilkerton and Renna May Billmire. Lillian is survived by her brothers, Russell E. Pilkerton (wife Eileen) and Frank J. Pilkerton. She was predeceased by sisters, Ruth N. Lewis, Renna M. Dasch, Doris G. Kinnear, Agnes I. Pilkerton, and Helen T. Pilkerton, and brothers, Louis A. Pilkerton, Jr., James W. Pilkerton, and Joseph L. Pilkerton. Lillian was a loving mother to Martha Wagner McNeil (husband Ronald W.), a devoted grandmother to Ronald W. McNeil Jr and Amy E. McNeil, and godmother to her sister Doris’s daughter, Kathleen. She was also blessed with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and dear friends.

As a young girl, Lillian lived with her parents and siblings at various locations in Baltimore City, where she attended school and, at times, held jobs as a store clerk and a food server. As a young woman, she lived in Parkville, Baltimore County where she was a homemaker for many years. Later on, she worked as a waitress and, later still, as a receptionist for an eye doctor. Eventually, she went to work for a small spice company, where she discovered a talent for making spice blends. She moved to Selborne House of Dorsey Hall about 2001 and lived there the rest of her life.

In addition to being a devoted mother and grandmother, Lil, as friends called her, was a dedicated friend to many dear ones at Selborne House and elsewhere. Lil was quick to lend a helping hand. She sometimes enjoyed sitting in the lobby, greeting those who came and went. She particularly liked to gather with her closest friends each evening in the library or, on a pleasant evening, on the front porch. She was a devout Catholic who enjoyed attending weekly prayer services led by volunteers from Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez Church in Woodstock.

Lil liked to crochet, a craft she learned from her mother. She made many beautiful afghans, bed covers, doilies, scarves, vests, and Christmas ornaments. She also loved to cook and was known for sharing her food creations generously with her friends at Selborne House. As she grew older and less able to get around, Lil particularly appreciated those friends and family who dropped in to visit her, called her on the phone, and brought her treats to brighten her days.

Lillian will be interred at Gardens of Faith Cemetery in Rosedale on Wednesday, September 30 at 11AM, in a family plot with her sisters, Doris, Ruth, Renna, and Helen, her parents, Renna and Louis, and other family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gilchrist Hospice of Maryland or Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez Church in Woodstock.

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