In Loving Memory of Lillian Veronica Serraro

It is with profound sadness that we share that Lillian “Lil” Veronica Serraro, cherished wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, unexpectedly and peacefully passed away on December 10, 2024, at the age of 74. 

Lillian is survived by her children; daughter Kimberly Charles, (RJ) and their children Sylvia, Ethan and Josephine; son Trevor, (Sarah) and their children Ella and Genevieve; sister Carol Byrne, sisters-in-law Susanne Lividini (Peter) and Dawn Amaker (Trent); and brothers-in-law Paul (Kathy) and Scott (Janet); as well as her adored nieces and nephews. Lillian was predeceased by her beloved husband of 53 years Christopher, brother-in-law Robert, nephew Christian and her mother and father, Jessie and Theodore Bartz.  

Lillian was born on December 28, 1949, in New York, NY. She grew up in the care of her Italian grandmother “Nanny” with her sister Carol and two cousins Edith and Evelyn while her mother worked full time. Lillian graduated from Walton All Girls High School in Bronx, NY in 1967. After completing some college, Lillian worked with her sister Carol at Harcourt Brace & Jovanovich. Lillian met Christopher in 1969, and they married in 1971 at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle, NY.  They settled in Fleetwood where they started a family. Later they bought their first house in Somers, NY where they lived for over 30 years.  Lillian worked from home for many years transcribing medical reports and raising their two children. Eventually Lillian and Chris built their dream home in Calabash, North Carolina.  After some time, Lillian and Chris moved full time to North Carolina.

Lillian was an avid reader of mysteries, loved to crochet and to solve the New York Times crossword puzzle.  She was a whiz at trivia and Jeopardy. Lillian loved to travel, having visited many exciting places with Chris.  She was a skilled home cook and could often be found making Italian family recipes. Lillian loved the beach and to her nothing was better than sitting and reading at Sunset Beach surrounded by her favorite people.  Later in life, Lillian fell in love with British mysteries on television. But above all, Lillian loved her five grandchildren.

A Celebration of Lillian’s life will be held January 17 from 10-11 at St. Brendan The Navigator Catholic Church at 5101 Ocean Highway W. Shallotte, NC 28459. A repast will follow at The Fellowship Hall.

Donations can be made in Lillian’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, to continue her legacy of giving in support of seriously ill children.