The September Volunteer Spotlight posthumously celebrates a special Shepherd’s Pantry volunteer: Lila Bailey.
Lila Bailey, who passed away in 2020, was one of Shepherd’s Pantry’s first volunteers, and from the beginning she poured her heart into the Pantry. She loved being a cart pusher, calling it her “Cadillac,” because it let her connect with clients while getting in her exercise. She invited friends from daily Mass to join her, played piano for the Windham School Choir, and was always ready with a smile and a kind word. For Lila, volunteering wasn’t just something she did, it was who she was.
Her family remembers her dedication and joy in everything she touched. She signed every card “LOL” (her version of “Lots of Love”), a tradition her family continues today.
Her granddaughter, Melanie Gendron, shared: “Volunteering at the Pantry kept my grandmother young. Routine and schedule were very important to her, and Shepherd’s Pantry was a keystone part of her life. Anything she did, she was all in and completely dedicated.”
Her daughter, Kathy Boylan, added: “My mom believed you had to practice what you preach, and the Pantry gave her a way to do that. She loved the friendships she made here and the community she was part of. It was such an important part of her life.”
Even Lila’s great-grandson, after getting his license, went straight to his beloved “Ya Ya’s” grave to tell her about his accomplishments, because that’s the kind of lasting impact Lila had on her family and on all who knew her.
All of us at Shepherd’s Pantry miss Lila dearly, but her spirit of generosity, kindness, and laughter continue to inspire us every day.
LOL, Lila. Lots of Love. Always.
We are especially grateful to Kathy and Melanie for sharing these cherished memories with us, and for carrying on her beautiful legacy.
