Lillian Andersen

Mystic — Lillian Andersen, 83, of Mystic, died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.

She was born in Engesland, Norway, to parents Oven Ovensen and Anna Ellefsen Ovensen. She graduated school and worked in Kristiansand, Norway, prior to taking several trips via ocean liners to the U.S.A. in the mid1950s. She met an American of Norwegian descent, Arnolf Andersen, while working as a waitress, and they were married on Sept. 6, 1958 in the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Throughout her life, she worked several jobs, finally retiring from the Inn At Mystic where she was a hostess.

Lillian will be dearly missed by her two children, Curt Andersen and Laila Andersen; siblings, Aldis Ljostad, Mary Aas and Knut Ovensen; many nieces and nephews; as well as other family members both here and abroad.

She was predeceased by her husband, Arnolf; sister, Martha; and her niece, Wenche.

Lillian was a member of the Mystic Congregational Church as well as the local Norwegian Club. She was a phenomenal seamstress and cook, enjoyed cross-stitch, knitting, baking and going to Foxwoods.

Lillian proudly became a naturalized U.S. citizen on May 9, 2003.

Her family will greet relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Friday, Jan. 19, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic. A service will be held at Dinoto Funeral Home at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 20. Burial will be private for the family at a later date.