Lillian Veno

Rochester-Lillian Sarah (Ballinger) Veno, 87, passed away peacefully at Watson Fields in Dover, NH on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 with her family by her side. She was born March 21, 1925, on the family farm in Erie, Colorado, the daughter of Anna Sophia (Harms) Ballinger and Joseph Raymond Ballinger. She had three older sisters: Ila, Dorothy and Anna "Nitzie". When Lillian was a young child, her mother became the manager of the Great Western Hotel in Longmont, Colorado. Lillian and her mother lived at the hotel while her mother managed all aspects of the business. In order to raise additional income for the hotel, her mother rented the Grand Ballroom to church groups, dance instructors, and piano teachers. Lillian was offered free dance lessons and piano lessons as part of the rental agreement, and she became an accomplished pianist and and exceptional tap dancer. Lillian and her dance partner, Glenn Philips, provided the entertainment for many local organizations and ladies luncheons from 1933 to 1938. Lillian graduated from Longmont High School in 1943. After high school, she worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company. In 1945, she began working as a receptionist in the dental office at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver CO. It was there that she met her future husband, PFC Arthur Albert Veno. Arthur was stationed in Colorado as a security guard for the German prisoners who worked in the sugar beet fields. They were married on December 31, 1945 in Longmont CO by a Justice of the Peace in front of the fireplace in her mother's living room. Arthur received an honorable discharge from the Army in March, 1946. He convinced his new bride, Lillian, to come to his hometown of Rochester, NH for a six month visit to meet his family. Instead of staying six months, she ended up spending sixty- five years in Rochester. At Lillian's 85th birthday she said "I came to Rochester 65 years ago knowing no one, and now look at all the wonderful, loving people I have in my life!" Lillian and Arthur bought a home on Henrietta Street in Rochester and they lived there for more than 50 years. Arthur worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 30 years and Lillian was a devoted, loving, stay-at-home mother to her children. She showed her children the meaning of unconditional love and constantly worried about her children even when they became adults and had children of their own. (Once a mother, always a mother!) Her greatest joy was witnessing her children (and grandchildren) accomplish milestones in their lives. She was especially happy to become a great-grandmother 2 ½ years ago, and she loved Hadley's visits and stories about her latest antics. Lillian was a "Second Mom" to her many nieces and nephews. She made everyone in her life feel like they were her "favorite". She was a gentle, kind, generous, caring personalways thinking of others even though she had her own health issues. She had a big smile, great sense of humor and a sharp mind. Even in her advanced age, she would tell us stories of her childhood and she provided a wealth of information about our family history. Lillian was a member of the Church of the Redeemer and Holy Trinity Anglican Church. When her children were young, she was a volunteer at McClelland School as a Teachers Aide and Library Aide. When her children were older she worked at J.C.Penney, KMart , Globe Department Store and IGA in Rochester. She belonged to the Trinity Anglican Church Guild, the Flower Guild, the Golden Age Club and she was a Thrift Shop volunteer. She was predeceased by her mother & father, her husband of nearly 54 years, Arthur A. Veno, her sisters Anna "Nitzie" Zimmerman, Ila Fulsom and Dorothy Cimmiyoti and a nephew, Charles Cimmiyoti. She is survived by her children: Kim R. Veno and his wife Helen of Wakefield, NH, David A. Veno and his wife, Gina, of Rochester, NH and Maryann (Veno) Anderson and her husband, Rick, of Cape Neddick. ME. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Brett & Derek Veno of Rochester and Laine (Anderson) Larson and Fairlee Anderson of Cape Neddick, ME, one great-grand daughter Hadley Marie Larson of Cape Neddick, ME, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Bellamy Fields and Watson Fields for the exceptional care Lillian received while she resided at their facilities. "The Fields" not only provided assistance with her physical limitations, they also provided a loving, caring environment during the last 3 ½ years of her life. Your staff is the best and we will be forever grateful for you treating our mother like "family". The family would also like to thank Dr. Sarah Sullivan & Laurie at Skyhaven Internal Medicine for the wonderful medical care you provided to Lillian and for the patience and kindness you showed toward her at each visit. We would also like to thank Dr. Clemens Scherzer of Brigham-Women's Hospital for providing the best possible care for Lillian's advanced Parkinson's Disease. We are hopeful your research team at Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center will soon find a prevention or cure for this debilitating disease. Inlieu of flowers donations maybe made Dr Clemens Scherzer's Parkinson's research at brigham and Womens's hospital, C/O brigham and womens Hospital Developement Office 116 Huntington Ave 5th floor Boston Ma 02116. Memorial calling hours will be held Friday 4-6 at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St, Rochester NH 03867 A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11am in the chapel of the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rochester cemetery in the Spring.