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.