Lili S. Boston

Lili Sturgis Boston was the second of two daughters born of the late Acte Allen and Oliver Wendell Sturgis in Baltimore. She was educated in the Baltimore Public Schools, Morgan State College, the University of Michigan and studied advanced courses in French culture and literature at McGill University in Montreal Canada. Her professional life included numerous teaching assignments in the Baltimore City school system, her longest tenure being the William H. Lemmel Junior High School. As a Department head she pushed French, Spanish and German in the language arts spectrum until her retirement in 1979. A quintessential professor, she encouraged her students to strive not only for excellence in linguistics, but also in their total education. Such was Madame Boston’s effectiveness that many students continued to consult her advice and assistance long after she retired. Lili married Joseph Boston in 1955, a union which produced four offspring. The young family were first members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, transferring to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the 1960’s. Lili finished her life as a member of All Saints Church in West Baltimore. Her other organizational affiliations included the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Jack and Jill of America. She was a woman of tremendous intellectual, spiritual and emotional depth. Lili accepted any individual on his own terms, dispensing compassion and love in full awareness of that person’s strength and limitations. She had the capacity to bring out the best in almost anyone, helping them discard the smothering effect of conventions and expectations that society had placed on them. One of her greatest joys was her family. She relished large holiday family gatherings, cookouts and intellectually stimulating conversation. A talented lady, she played piano and violin and possessed a beautiful voice which enchanted all who had an ear for good music. Lili was an excellent role model for her children and delighted in the company of hergrandchildren. She lead a full life until she succumbed to the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage. She died in the loving arms of her husband at Sinai Hospital on Mother’s Day. Lili is survived by her husband Joseph, two sons (Jose and Juan), two daughters (Maya and Maria) and seven grandchildren (Zachary, Nina, Carly, Julian, Armani, Sasha and Sonia).

Tributes

Lili S. Boston

May 29, 1926 - May 12, 2002