AUBURN – Lillian Eleanor Lemke, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 20, at Schooner Estates in Auburn.

She was born in Lisbon Falls on June 14, 1917, a beloved daughter of George and Mamie Morgan.

On Dec. 25, 1938, she married Edgar Paul Lemke, also of Lisbon Falls, who was employed at the Worumbo Woolen Mill. After service in World War II, Edgar went to Bates College on the G.I. Bill, a move much supported by Lillian, who subsequently received two degrees herself from the University of Maine. She earned them not only by attending night and summer school, but by spending a full year at the Orono campus as a “nontraditional” student in her early 40s.

When Edgar moved to Warren to serve as principal of Warren High School, Lillian became a teacher also, and ultimately principal of the Warren elementary school. She opened one of the first Head Start schools in the state and received a “Principal of the Year” award.

After more than 25 years of service, during which she touched the lives of many students and friends by her vivacity and compassion, she retired and returned to Lisbon Falls. There she operated an antique shop with her husband, who passed away shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary in 1988.

A woman of great spirit and gregarious nature, Lillian considered herself a “people person.” Very devoted to relatives and friends, she particularly enjoyed family reunions held for many years at her brother’s farm. During her “retirement,” Lillian wrote columns about the antique trade for a local newspaper, traveled to her ancestral England, Wales and Ireland, contributed to the work of the Lisbon Historical Society, and was an active participant in the Methodist Church.

Attired in an orange Moxie shirt, she annually would host friends and relatives as they viewed the Moxie Day Parade. While she still operated the Brick House shop, Lillian clearly took more enjoyment in conversing with customers than in selling antiques.

During her last years at the Schooner Estates retirement community, she remained active and was affectionately known as “Miss Lily.” Lillian was a cancer survivor a remarkable four times. She was a beloved figure and will be missed by all who knew her.

Lillian is survived by a son, Dr. William Lemke and daughter-in-law, Dr. Karen Lemke, a granddaughter, Larissa Maria Lemke, and a grandson, Collin William Lemke, all of Lisbon Falls; as well as seven nieces; seven nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, Wilfred “Biff” Morgan, also of Lisbon Falls.