Obituary of Lillian Mary Randall

Lillian Mary Randall, daughter of Mary Annie (Squires) Crompton and Harold James Crompton; widow of the late John Munro Randall; mother of Lorna, recently of The Berkeley, Dartmouth, passed away on Monday, February 25, 2019 in Dartmouth General Hospital, following a brief illness.

A career woman and gracious lady, mother figure to many, Lillian was a lifelong resident of Dartmouth, who, in her early teens, studied at the Maritime Conservatory with Ifan Williams Sr. She earned her music degree at McGill at summer schools starting in her mid-teens and did post-graduate work at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto under Spivak, Berlin and Adaskin. During the school year, she taught violin, history, harmony and theory to her private pupils at home. Her first jobs in Halifax were on a CBC radio program, "From a Rose Garden" recorded atop the Nova Scotian Hotel, dinner music at the Lord Nelson and the Mount Orchestra as well as modelling coats for Maritime Furriers. She was a founding member of the Halifax Symphonette, under Alfred Strombergs, playing viola for the first few years, then as the name changed to Halifax Symphony and later Atlantic Symphony, she played violin exclusively. When John returned from the Mediterranean after the war, they were married in 1946 at Stairs Memorial United Church. Throughout the 50s, 60s and into the 70s, she continued to teach privately and began a violin class at Notting Park School. Her private students wrote Royal Conservatory exams, competed in the Kiwanis Music Festival and performed in annual recitals. She was part of the original pit orchestra for the Charlottetown Festival in 1964 and returned to play for four consecutive summers. She studied the Bornoff method of teaching strings under the tutelage of its creator in Boston at the New England Conservatory. Seeing the orchestra through its transition to Symphony Nova Scotia, she made the decision to retire due to John's failing health. To keep up her playing, Lillian formed a quartet which performed at weddings, the Mount and retirement homes locally. She became involved in the AFofM, working at the elections, always keen to keep a standard in the music industry and even taught for a term at two Dartmouth schools. After John's passing (1993), she enjoyed politics, preparing food for friends and neighbours who were ill, dining with 13 women at Brightwood on Fridays with a social membership for more than 20 years and especially, travelling with Lorna and Jim. For 50 years, she lived in the house she and John built in Crichton Park and only left when her knee prevented her from negotiating the many stairs. Extremely independent, she was committed to excellence, being organized and looking her best. She loved to entertain and cherished her relationships with family and friends who were often much younger than she!

Lillian was predeceased by her cherished sister, Alma (1974); her parents and dear husband, John.

She is survived by her only child, Lorna; son-in-law, Jim Bauld; her sister's children, David Hannon and Susan Hannon; their children and several other nieces and nephews.

An Eastern Star service was held in Stairs Memorial United Church, 44 Hester St. at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 3rd immediately followed by visitation until 9 p.m. in the sanctuary. Memorial service will take place in Stairs Church on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 2 pm, Rev. Sarah Reaburn officiating. Among Lillian's favourite charities were Stairs Church and Dartmouth General Hospital. The Lillian Randall Violin Scholarship for a deserving violin student at the Maritime Conservatory of Music (www.maritimeconservatory.com) has been established.

Lillian's family thanks the staff of 4E at Dartmouth General, especially Dr. Preston and The Berkeley Dartmouth staff who helped make the past two plus years more enjoyable.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4P 1B9 (902-679-2822).