Lillian J. (McConnell) Jencks, a retired Registered Nurse, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the age of 73. She was the beloved wife of the late Merrill C. Jencks III to whom she shared 38 years of marriage prior to his passing in March. Lillian was the oldest of seven children born to the late James F. and Mary E. (Hunt) McConnell.
Lillian had a calming presence about her and others often looked to her for comfort and advice especially when it came to health concerns. She loved taking care of others and this served her well in her career as an ICU, NICU and Labor & Delivery nurse and later as the longtime nurse for the Prout School. She had a love of orchids and rare plants, and she was often given Orchids by her friends and family to nurse back to health and return to their owner. She became known as ‘The Orchid Lady’. She was laidback and relaxed but possessed an insatiable thirst for learning and knowledge. Lillian is going to be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She was the devoted mother of Chanel Ashton (husband, Gregory); stepmother of Joanne M. Dempsey (husband, Dennis) and ‘Nanny’ of Julia, Robert, Troy, Adam, Nicholas, Allison, William, Levi and Isla. She was the sister of Debra Paolino, Robert McConnell and the late James McConnell, William McConnell, Michael McConnell, and Carol Mercado. Lillian is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Lillian’s funeral will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 11am from the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon in St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Interment will be in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, North Kingstown. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 4-7pm.
