Lillian (Lander) Gathagan

Lillian Susan (Lander) Gathagan, age 86, of Ashtabula, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the MetroHealth Glick Center in Cleveland.

Lillian was born in Lucinda, PA on March 27,1939 to the late Frederick and Dorothy (Baumcratz) Lander.

Lillian attended Villa Maria College and earned her education degree and elementary teaching certificate in 1962. Lillian taught for the Ashtabula City Schools for 33 years, educating primarily elementary students. During her teaching career, she was the recipient of the Martha Holden Jennings Scholarship, which honors Ohio educators.

On August 12, 1980 Lillian married Edward Gathagan. Edward was a veteran of the US Army serving in the 1950’s. They lived together in Ashtabula until Edward’s death in 2018.

Lillian was very active in her church community at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Our Lady of Peace Parish in Ashtabula. She volunteered her time to various parish groups by helping to sort church collections, participate in prayer groups, and volunteer at rummage sales and the Friday fish-fry during Lent. Lillian also enjoyed gardening, shopping at craft fairs, decorating her home and yard for every holiday, and socializing with church and retired teacher friends. In addition, Lillian stayed in contact with distant relatives from her hometown of Lucinda and frequently visited the area.

In addition to her parents, Lillian is preceded in death by her husband Edward Gathagan; her sisters, Sena M. Lander, Sr. Mary Bernard Lander OSB, Vera P. Ostrowski, and Madeline R. Sowers; and four brothers, Paul, Henry, Leonard, and Samuel. Lillian is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, a stepson, and a stepdaughter.

There will be no public visitation or viewing. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Our Lady of Peace Parish, 1200 East 21 st Street in Ashtabula, Ohio. Entombment will follow at the St. Joseph Mausoleum, part of St. Joseph Cemetery in Ashtabula.

Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors, Inc., located at 526 W Prospect Rd in Ashtabula, OH will be handling the funeral arrangements.

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