Lillie Marlene Fell (nee Earling) of Stockholm, N.J., passed peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, following a long illness, with her beloved husband by her side. She was 71.
Born in Atlantic City, N.J., Lillie grew up in Brigantine, N.J., attending Calvary Methodist Church and Atlantic City High School (class of 1967), where she met the love of her life, her husband of 50 years, Steve. Lillie and Steve moved to North Jersey after they were married, spending the majority of their child raising years in Rochelle Park and New Milford, before settling in Maywood for the next two decades as empty nesters, finally moving to Lake Stockholm five years ago to be closer to their children and grandchildren during retirement.
Lillie was an active member of the Hackensack United Methodist Church for over 40 years, serving on the administrative council in various capacities, and singing in the choir. She was also a member of the Ridgewood Choral singing group for many years. Lillie spent most of her younger years as a stay at home mom, later working for Integrity Insurance Company in Paramus once the kids were grown, until retiring in 2000 to help care for her mother and grandkids. She was a Girl Scout leader in Rochelle Park during the 1980s for Brownie troop 803 and Junior troop 797, also serving as the cookie sale coordinator for the town.
Lillie was the kind of person everyone instantly felt comfortable around. She was famous for strangers gravitating to her with their stories. She was compassionate, patient, and listened, which made her easy to talk to. Her beautiful singing voice and pleasant personality will be missed tremendously by so many friends who loved her dearly. Music was a great blessing in her life, bringing her peace and comfort right through her final months, particularly during the times when hospital visitor restrictions were tightened due to the pandemic. The greatest joy of her life, however, was her family. She was always ready to help or support them, even on a moment’s notice, and never missed a show, competition, or special event of her children or grandchildren. They truly were her world, and they will miss her immeasurably.
Lillie is survived by her loving husband, Steven Fell Sr.; children, Susan Masciarelli and Steven Fell Jr.; grandchildren, Christopher and Elizabeth Masciarelli, all of Lake Stockholm, N.J.; brother, Charles (Margaret) Earling of Sewell, N.J.; sister-in-law, Linda (David) Lichtenfels of Atlantic City, NJ; brother-in-law Fred (Mary Anna) Fell of Ventnor, N.J.; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Sara Earling Quering (nee Johann) and Charles Earling Sr.
Due to current indoor capacity restrictions, the in-person funeral service will be private, however, you may attend virtually at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, via the following link for Hackensack UMC channel on YouTube (youtube.com/channel/UCcdOQMWp83AKu6H_fJJFePA). A short graveside service will follow at approximately 1 p.m. at North Hardyston Cemetery, Annex West, Route 94 South, Hardyston, N.J. All are welcome to this outdoor service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, when larger gatherings are permitted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the scholarship funds of the Ridgewood Choral (ridgewoodchoral.org) or the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus (ridgewoodorpheusclub.org), to ensure the music plays on.