FARMINGDALE – Lila Garland (Allen) Harrington Small of Litchfield, died peacefully on Feb. 1.

She was born in Bowdoin on Aug. 8, 1918, the youngest daughter of Charles and Clarissa (Hutchinson) Allen.

She graduated from Litchfield Academy and later received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Maine, Orono.

She worked as a welder in the South Portland Shipyard during World War II. After the war ended, she began her 27-year teaching career. She taught in one-room schools in Manchester and Wales and then taught in Richmond and Lewiston.

She was an active member of the Litchfield Plains Baptist Church for many years. She enjoyed being a homemaker, sewing, baking, gardening, completing many kinds of crafts, and collecting and refinishing antiques. She also loved to travel. Most of all she loved and cared for her family. She truly had an “elastic nest” that stretched to include nieces and nephews as well as children and grandchildren for varying periods of time.

Her first husband, Irving Harrington, died when his ship was torpedoed during WWII. She married Lewis Small on Nov. 23, 1946. They were married 49 years. During the 15 years he fought ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), she lovingly and tirelessly cared for him.

She is survived by her daughters and their families, Roberta and Charles Fittz, of Albuqueque, N.M., Elizabeth and Otis Gray, of Shirley, Joyce and Paul Tardif, of Leeds, and Pamela and Chris Schoonbeck, of Litchfield; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was also predeceased by all of her siblings, Clarissa Danforth, Raymond Allen, Sara Farr, Arthur Allen, Statira Philbrook, Carrie Ricker Small and Ida Baker.

Her family wishes to thank the staff of the Captain Lewis Residence Inn in Farmingdale for their kind and compassionate care. It was greatly appreciated.

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