May 7, 1925 – July 21, 2023
Lillian Foulds was born May 7, 1925, in Revere, MA, literally within steps of the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. She then proceeded to pack a lot into her 98 years.
During the Second World War, she worked in the machine shop at Champion Lamp.
In 1948, she married Arthur Foulds, who lived just down the street on Whitin Ave, in the Point of Pines neighborhood of Revere, and for the next 63 years were true partners in all their endeavors. They moved to Lynnfield in 1955 where they both became, and remained, very active in their new community.
Lillian Foulds was a long-time member of Centre Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday School for several years. She served on the Board of Deacons. She was a member of the Get-Together Wheel at the church and was elected as its leader on several occasions. She also maintained ties to the Pines Community Church in Revere as a member of the Ladies Guild.
She belonged to the PTAs of every school in town and was a co-president of the Huckleberry Hill School PTA at its founding.
Through her three children, she was a Cub Scout den mother and a Girl Scout leader, and for a grandchild, she helped lead a Campfire group.
The word “active” does not adequately describe her role in the Lynnfield Historical Society. She was co-chair of that organization’s annual Country Store fundraiser for 12 years, and she took over from her good friend Martha as “bow maker” for the Christmas greens. In all, she worked on the fair in all sorts of capacities for roughly 40 years.
Lillian was a woman who always rose to every occasion. She was the rock that stood firm during many family crises. She devoted every day to making Arthur’s final years as comfortable and as meaningful as possible, firmly dedicated to keeping him at home.
Her parents were John and Mabel Chaffee. She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur, and all four of her siblings – Warren Chaffee, Walter “Buddy” Chaffee, Claire Bridge, and Barbara Dever.
She leaves three children: Richard Foulds and his wife Mary Ellen Foulds, of Langhorne, PA, Alan Foulds and his wife Anna “Ace” Foulds, of Reading, and Dianne Foulds of Lynnfield.
Her grandchildren are: Gregory Foulds, Amanda Foulds. Christopher Foulds and his wife Sara Altman
Her great grandchildren are: Sofia, Julia, and Jonny Foulds.
A point so many of her friends and relatives have made this week is that she was a strong woman who had a good warm smile, was always whistling or singing, and worked hard to make everyone feel at home.
A memorial service will be held at Centre Congregational Church on Friday, July 28, at 2 pm.
