Lillian Mace (nee Whalen), passed away on October 6, 2020 at her home in East Hanover, NJ. Lillian is survived by her three daughters, Diane, Maryann and Betty Anne, her 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son Stephen Mace and former husband Richard Mace.
Lillian was born in Harlem, NY. As a teenager, she moved to New Jersey and met her future husband, Richard Mace at Kearny High School. In junior year of high school, she accepted a position at Western Electric in Cost Accounting. Her professional excellence continued when she and her husband opened Mace Bros. Fine Furniture, a successful furniture business in Kearny. She was known as one of the first women in the furniture industry.
Lillian was a lifelong traveler and learner. She instilled in her family the importance of taking advantage of educational opportunities and led by example by going back to college in her 60s, attending Montclair University to study art. In her lifetime she traveled to 6 continents and over 30 countries.
Lillian’s positivity, stories, and sense of humor will be greatly missed. Private arrangements are by Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. A mass will be held on Saturday, October 10th at 10 am at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, 141 Washington Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Where Angels Play Foundation: www.whereangelsplayfoundation.org.