Lillian Tiager Raywood

Lillian Raywood of Hendersonville, NC passed away April 7, 2017 at the age of 94. She was born and raised in Navesink and Red Bank New Jersey and graduated from Red Bank High School. Lillian was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Raywood; daughter, Sondra Stafford; mother, Mary Ann Graff Martin; father, Charles Graff; brother, Joseph Graff, Sr.; sisters, Georgina Williams and Rita Hounihan Patton.

Lillian, better known as Tiager, was a strong, independent woman who lived alone in her home until age 94- over twenty years after her husband's death. From a teen until retirement, Lillian worked full-time at some interesting jobs and established herself as a leader in every endeavor. During World War II, she was a photo and blueprint operator for the Signal Corps Ground Signal Service. Later while doing Photostat work for Bendix Aviation, she was sought after as the person who could 'fix' the machines without having to call for service. She also worked as head of the housekeeping staff at George Washington University.

Tiager loved bird watching and incorporated her passion into trips near and far. Hiking and camping with John was a favorite pastime. Lillian didn't spend time in front of the TV. Instead, she developed skills like knitting, painting eggs, weaving baskets from pine straw, learning to play bells, and making such things as stained glass kaleidoscopes, Japanese rice paper paintings, and cross-stitch pictures- just to name a few.

Tiager was generous with family and friends and supported various philanthropic interests for nature and her church, St. Barnabas Catholic Church. She also created a college scholarship in memory of her husband for children of Knights of Columbus members in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Lillian's quick wit and teasing sense of humor will be remembered fondly. A graveside service will be held on April 22 at 2:00 pm at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville, NC with a reception afterward.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the John Paul Raywood Scholarship (administered by The Community Foundation of Henderson County, PO Box 1108, Hendersonville, NC 28793; 828-697-6224).