Lillian Calistro Lehane, 90, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford. She was the wife of the late James M. Lehane, Jr. Lillian was born in New Haven on November 5, 1923; daughter of the late Domenic and Mary Desiderio Calistro; had worked for many years for Architectural Brick Company then as a head manager for Universal Distributors. Lillian was a volunteer at the Hospital of St. Raphael campus of Yale-New Haven Hospital; had chaired the North Haven Tri-Centennial Committee; was past member of the North Haven Garden Club; was past president of the New Haven Lioness Club; was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for almost seventy years; was past treasurer of the New Haven Italian American Club and was a member of the New Haven Historical Society. Loving mother of James M. “Jamie” Lehane III, Donald J. (Louise) Lehane and Tara A. Buccino. Grandmother of James V. Buccino, Caitlin A., Mark W., Laura L. and Jonathan J. Lehane. Sister of Joseph (Virginia) Calistro, Eugene (Patricia) Calistro and the late Frank Calistro. Sister-in-law of Helen Calistro.
Funeral services will be conducted in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Monday morning 10:00. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Sunday from 3 to 5 pm.
I have so many happy memories of my Aunt Lillian: her interventions with Uncle Jim when on sleep overs we kids would act up; her mediations when problems would arise between relations; her loving and giving and generous nature, always with a plate of food, or cookies; her cutting and dye-ing my hair after a botched, self inflicted bleach job; and most of all, her kindness. She was genuinely delighted whenever anything good happened, and fiercely loyal to her family, which included her brothers, her nieces, her nephews, and even in laws. There is a hole in the heart of our family now that cannot be filled except by our loving remembrances. God bless you, Aunt Lillian. I love you, and will miss you.
Jamie, thinking of you at this very painful time. Losing your mother is very difficult and no matter how old we are we still feel like orphans. With the big changes you're making be sure to take care of yourself.
Kathy
We are very sad to hear of Lillian passing. Teresa always looked forward to seeing her, and loved her dearly. We always felt her kindness and warmth. Our prayers and sympathies are with you during this time.