Lilas E. McPherson

Lilas E. McPherson

August 26, 1932 - January 19, 2017

Lilas E. McPherson

August 26, 1932 - January 19, 2017

Obituary

Lilas E. McPherson
(August 26, 1932-January 19, 2017)

Lilas Elaine Hanley McPherson, 84, born August 26, 1932 on the family farm in Chatfield, Minnesota to Charles and Helen Hanley, passed away January 19, 2017 in San Juan Capistrano, California. Valedictorian of her high school class, Lilas graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital (Mayo Clinic), before moving to California and starting a family with her late husband Dr. Alan G. McPherson, her one and only. A long time resident of Ontario, California, Lilas volunteered hundreds of hours to St. George School and National Charity League while raising seven children and managing her husband’s medical practice.

Lilas loved her husband and family with a fierce and demanding devotion. Smart, witty, adventurous, and determined, Lilas loved spending time with her grandchildren, taking walks, driving cross-country, being in the mountains at Mammoth and playing games of all kinds, excelling at bridge and challenging all takers in Yahtzee and Kings in the Corner (always playing to win and usually doing so!) She adored babies, reading, chocolate, flowers, ice cream, listening to Vin Scully and Chick Hearn on the radio, watching Notre Dame beat USC in football, being the Queen of all she surveyed and an occasional glass of scotch (no ice, water on the side.)

Her faith and trust in God and her family (of whom she was incredibly proud) helped her endure and overcome the difficult times and physical challenges she faced, and to be grateful for the many good times she enjoyed, throughout her 84 years. She will be deeply missed; quite simply, we loved her the most.

Lilas is survived by her children Barbara (Manny DiSantis) McPherson, Charles (Cindy) McPherson, Jane McPherson, Mary McPherson, Jacque Miller, Brian (Lisa) McPherson, and Laura (Jeff) Chapman; her grandchildren Andrew (Mary), Katie (Derek), Sarah, Bubba (Martha), Libby, Emily (Warren), Will, Matt (Kathy), Chris, Hailey, Stephanie, Erika (Aiden) and Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Henry, Isabel and Baby Boy Campbell (due in May); sister Marilyn Sperling; brother Charles Kent (Rosie) Hanley; cousin Norma Fixx and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, January 30, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 29102 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. She will be laid to rest by her family next to her beloved Alan at Bellevue Cemetery, 1240 G Street, Ontario, CA 91762.

No Events & Services

No Charities & Donations

No Gallery Photos

No Videos

8 responses to Lilas E. McPherson

  1. megan bass says:

    I loved how honest Lilas was….she once told me to button up my blouse because cleavage was showing! We were at the park off Sunset Dr. She reminds me of me! That’s totally something I would do!

    Great lady!

    Love,
    Megan and Hutch

  2. What a great lady! When we first moved to Sixth Street in 1972, I had one daughter,Christy, Janelle and Tara followed. Lilas always welcomed my girls into her home!! She taught me how to pack kids clothes for vacation! Every day labeled and packed into a ziplock baggie!! Also I remember going with her to Lee’s children’s store on Euclid the night before the annual sale! She was a good customer and he let her come early to get what she wanted and she brought me! I was so thrilled!! Sixth Street is not the same without the McPherson’s

    Cathy Carson

  3. Cheers! Mom toasting with her favorite glass of scotch.

Reply to a Condolence Cancel reply

Choose a Candle