It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Lillian Blonstein died Sunday, May 15, 2011, surrounded by her loving family at Hartford Hospital. She was born October 12th, in Norwich, the beloved daughter of the late William and Rae (Blatt) Hankin. She graduated from Norwich Free Academy and a number of years later met and married the love of her life, Sam. Together they shared a beautiful life in Rockville, and worked diligently to establish, manage and co-own Blonsteins Camping Center. Lillian’s greatest passion and reward was being with her family and relishing in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. The warmth of her heart was matched by the brightness of her smile, and she freely bestowed her happiness, wisdom and generosity on all who knew her. Lillian enjoyed many interests including being a cheering spectator at all of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, doing delicious cooking and baking to make holidays special, traveling with her family, watching her husband, son and grandson ride the Sphinx Motor Patrol “little cars” in parades, trying to “strike it rich” at the casino blackjack table, being an avid participant in Relay for Life, rooting for the UConn Women’s and Men’s basketball teams, a determined but rarely-winning bingo player, and being a Boston Red Sox fan. Left to cherish her memory and to be forever grateful for the gift of her life, is her husband of 58 joyful years, Sam, and her two devoted, grateful children: Sherry Bedore and Bart Blonstein, both of Vernon. Lillian was the beloved and adored “Ma” to her three grandchildren: Weston and Lindi Bedore, and Cailyn Blonstein. She was predeceased by her four siblings, Freida Zelinsky, Sidney, Lawrence and Isabella Hankin. The family would like to thank all the nurses, doctors and staff at Hartford Hospital for their compassionate care and helping them through this difficult time. As we grieve that “Ma” is gone from our world, we rejoice that we had her for so long, for her giving heart and her compassionate spirit, that will live on in her children and grandchildren for generations to come. Ma leaves a void that no one can fill.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford. A brief graveside ceremony will follow at the Beth Olam Cemetery, Edith Rd., South Windsor. Her family will receive friends and relatives following the burial at her and Sam’s home, 34 Davis Ave., Rockville, through Friday evening, 3-8:30 pm, with services at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sphinx Shriners Motor Patrol, c/o Captain Bill Logvin, 809 Hanover Rd., Meriden 06451 or to the American Cancer Society, I-95 Tech Center, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill 06067. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Lillian, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.
