I met Marian Lillie through our now defunct book group, Happy Bookers. I was in charge of sending out the reminder notice about our upcoming meetings. At the same time, I was in charge of staffing my church thrift shop with volunteers, and sent out my monthly request for volunteers availability. As the result of a lucky (for me) fluke, the notice for thrift shop volunteers availability found its way to Marian’s inbox. She sent me a reply saying, “I don’t know why I got this, but I’d like to be a volunteer”. Marian helped every Friday afternoon in the Grace Thrift Shop In Haddonfield until we had to close for the pandemic on March 13, 2020. She was an absolute joy to have around. Marian was so interesting and upbeat and full of life. She was so very proud of her family especially her beloved grandchildren. She made every person who entered feel welcome and special. Nothing I asked her to help with was ever a problem.

I called her last week to tell her that we were finally re-opening on September 10, 2021. She told me that she was going to her sister’s weekend in Ocean City from 9/11 - 9/18 but to put her on the schedule for the following Friday. So like Marian - right there when you needed her! I forgot to mention that after a year or two of volunteering with the thrift shop every Friday afternoon, she volunteered as a “baby hugger” for babies with various disabilities which she did on Friday mornings.

I am so blessed to have known this loving, remarkable woman who I and my fellow TS Volunteers will miss so much.

Ellen Berntson