Lillian Margaret Horton (nee Barnes), loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother, died with peace and grace on March 1 at the age of 96.
Lillian (Lil) was born at home on Scammel Avenue in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the second daughter of Waldo Ernest Barnes (Lee, Massachustts) and May Catherine Welch Barnes (Watertown, Connecticut) on Sept. 3, 1920. She attended school in Pittsfield, graduating from Pittsfield High on June 16, 1938. Lillian married her high school sweetheart, Preston Kennedy Horton, on June 18, 1938, in Garfield, New York. Reverend DeGraff officiated in their ceremony at the same parsonage where Preston’s (Peck’s) parents were married. This beautiful marriage was blessed by four children and was marked by their enduring commitment to one another, hard work, faith in God, and love. Lil will be remembered for her incredible kindness and work ethic that lived in her instruction to “do something nice for someone every day” and her sayings “it takes the same amount of time to be kind (as mean),” “never ever give up,” as well as her famous baked beans and her delicious pies made from scratch in her music-filled home. If WBRK was not playing, then Johnny Mathis or the Tijuana Brass was likely queued on the stereo.
Lillian became the first female town clerk in the history of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, serving for more than 20 years, retiring in 1971. In 1974 she was recalled to replace her successor who moved from town; she permanently retired in 1980. Lil unofficially provided clerical help with various boards until a permanent assistant was hired. Lillian often worked long hours alone in the Town Hall. Friendly, courteous, professional, and dedicated to her work, Lillian was well liked and respected. Highway crew members delayed leaving their garage beneath the hall at night until she had safely left. In 1959 Lil met and assisted Eugene Lyons in an ancestry search of his 1880’s Lanesborough relatives. Unbeknownst to her, Mr. Lyons was a Detroit, Michigan, millionaire who first developed stainless steel hubcaps and sinks. A trip to his private Bimini Island for Lil and Peck was his thanks. They remained friends for decades until his death. Lillian also worked at England Bros. Department Store on North Street, as well as for Dr. Winthrop Brielman as his veterinary office clerk.
Lillian was a member of Berkshire Union Chapel for more than 60 years, and remained the oldest member and longest active member until her death. She also attended Trinity United Methodist Church. Lillian’s spunk, and passion for exercise, healthy eating, and moderation in all things throughout her life, kept her seemingly ageless. Lil especially enjoyed volleyball and tap dancing—which she began at age 60—moving into a class assistant role with Cele Conuel’s young dance classes. Under the leadership of Ann Murray, Lil learned and performed Irish Step Dancing at the Irish American Club of Pittsfield (her paternal grandmother was born in Ireland) and at the green-snowed Brodie Mountain on St. Patrick’s Day. Mom also performed for several years in the OH BOY! Minstrels. Her counted cross stitch presents are treasured by all who received them.
Left to carry on Lillian’s legacy are daughter-in-law Jeanette Horton and her two children, Michael Horton and Preston Horton (Eduardo), of Cummington, Massachusetts, and Dorchester, Massachusetts; David Horton, his wife Doreen, and their five children, Matthew Horton (Traci), Karen Horton (Jennifer), David Horton (Cade), Tricia Chalifoux (John), and Tammy McGovern (Brian), of Windsor, Massachusetts, Dalton, Massachusetts, Berkshire, Massachusetts, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Holyoke, Massachusetts; John Schmitt and his son Philip Schmitt (Sam), formerly of Oak Park, Illinois; Beth Horton Conerly, her husband Robert Conerly, and their children Samuel Conerly and Claire Conerly, of Guilford; as well as her great-grandchildren Dennis Simmons (Jennifer), Michael Welch (Garry), Cora Duncanson (Ben), Riley and Casey Moriarty, Tyler and Shenna Horton, Meredith Dezieck, Molly Schmitt, Averie McGovern, and Kailey, Jeremy, and Kira Simmons; her great-great granddaughter Annabelle Duncanson; and her former daughter-in-law Helen Manzolini Horton of Berkshire, Massachusetts. She also leaves behind the best of friends and CNAs/nurses at Craneville Place of Dalton and HospiceCare in the Berkshires.
In addition to Peck, Lil was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved sister Evelyn Barnes Miner; and two of her children, John “Jack” Horton and Jill Suzanne Schmitt.
A private Memorial Service to celebrate Lillian’s life will be held in late March. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA, in her memory. Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.
