Lillian Andersen Mallery

Lillian Andersen Mallery, age 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Littleton, Colorado. She was born on March 18, 1939, in Weehawken, New Jersey, to Alf and Margaret (Hall) Andersen. Lillian was a 1957 graduate of Teaneck High School. In 1961, she graduated magna cum laude from Wagner College in Staten Island, New York, where she studied business and accounting. She married John Mallery on September 12, 1964. They lived in various cities in New Jersey before moving to Littleton, Colorado in 1978. Lillian worked as an accountant for several companies during her career including Industrial Molasses Corporation and J.M. Smucker Company. She also put her career on hold for 18 years while she raised a family.

Lillian was proud of her Norwegian heritage, coming from a large extended family of Norwegian immigrants. She loved music, especially polkas, marches, classical music and hymns. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ and singing in the church choir. Lillian loved reading mystery books and Guideposts magazines and devotionals.

Lillian was an avid traveler throughout her life, starting with childhood trips around the East Coast and her honeymoon in Bermuda. Together with her husband and three children, she visited Disney World many times and crisscrossed the country in the family station wagon to tour the sights in many states. As an adult, she enjoyed cruising, exploring new places around the globe, and discovering her roots in Norway.

Lillian was very active in Masonic organizations in New Jersey and Colorado, including Naomi Eastern Star Chapter in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey and Hope Eastern Star Chapter in Bennett, Colorado. She served as the Grand Royal Matron of the Colorado Amaranth Grand Court from 1987-1988.

Because she was born during the depression, Lillian was known for being frugal with her money. Despite this, she always made sure her kids experienced music lessons and other extra-curricular activities that she didn’t have the chance to do when she was growing up. She was never shy about voicing her opinions or complaining when things were not up to her expectations. But, she was also a loving caregiver to her ailing parents and a supportive mother and wife who will be dearly missed.

Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, Alf and Margaret Andersen, her husband, John Mallery, and her best friend May Reid. She is survived by her daughter Eileen Mallery, her son Alan Mallery and his wife Carrie, her daughter Nancy Powell and her husband Brian, and her grandchildren Emerson, Sheyla, Nathan, Joshua and Alyssa as well as several cousins. Lillian’s family will be holding a Celebration of Life Service at Heflebower Funeral Services in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on May 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to Alzheimer’s Association or American Diabetes Association.