Lillian Marie Lockett (née Merritt), 78, passed away at Wilson Memorial Hospital on Sunday, May 11, 2025, after suffering a massive brain bleed while alone at home. Ever anxious about Mother’s Day—a day that carried both love and pain for her—God brought her home on Mother’s Day itself, relieving her of all pain and anxiety and granting her the ultimate peace.

She is survived by her two daughters - Shelly Ritlinger Hutchko (Michael) and Jami Ritlinger Brower (Scott) - whom she loved with a fierce, unwavering devotion. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she longed to know more deeply and always held close in her heart.

She also leaves behind her three beloved sisters—Rebecca Manning (Lowell), Colleen Krashesky (Alan), and Jenifer Mallon. Affectionately known as “The Merritt Sisters”, they were a force of nature: loyal, loud, hilarious, and unshakably bonded—for better and for worse. The Sisters’ entire families had love and appreciation for “Aunt Widdy” (aka “Hooch-uh-luh”). She is also missed by her nieces and nephews from her late brother, Ray “Butch” Merritt Jr., who preceded her in death.

Lillian was a huge NASCAR fan, a love she shared with her husband of 37 years, George “Dick” Lockett, who preceded her in death in 2010. She was thrilled to fulfill a dream by attending a race at the Joliet Speedway, cheering on her favorite driver (Dale Earnhardt, Jr.) with the same passion she brought to everything in her life.

She is now reunited with her parents—Ray William Merritt Sr. and Jean Frances Merritt—who sacrificed deeply to provide their children with the joy of family vacations, something Lillian carried forward for the next generation.

Lillian was born in Johnson City, NY in 1947 and was the oldest of five children. She was named after her father Ray’s mother, Lillian—which promptly made her Grandma Lillian’s favorite granddaughter, a title she fully embraced and never let anyone forget.

She became a mother at a young age and worked tirelessly to support her children’s dreams, especially their love of dance. Her dedication turned into a true gift: Lillian became an award-winning costume designer, creating dazzling pieces that lit up recitals, competitions, and stages across the Northeastern U.S. Yet, costumes were just one part of her behind-the-scenes magic—she also worked as a house cleaner, babysitter, and caregiver, and—when it came to hair styling— did the best up-dos imaginable. Those lucky enough to have their hair done by her often lost feeling in their scalps—her own sign of success—so that no future bobby pin could ever harm them again!

She did whatever it took to give her family everything they needed and more.

Lillian had a fire in her, and she wasn’t afraid to show it. Her spirit and stubbornness never dulled. From strong political opinions, to famously sticking her tongue out at people, she was the epitome of “if her face didn’t say it, her mouth would.”

She loved hard and laughed loud. In 2013, she joined her family in getting matching tattoos—no hesitation, no second thoughts. That same energy defined so much of who she was: If it involved family, she was all in. Her favorite activities often revolved around togetherness—babysitting the grandkids, measuring family members back-to-back in a competition to see who had grown the most, or simply gathering everyone in her kitchen and her home, which she always opened to all.

Lillian grew up in church and had a deep faith. Like many of us, she had questions about what heaven would be like and often joked that she hoped it would be more than just singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” on repeat. Now, she has the answers to those questions — and, with her brother Butch by her side again, we know they’re already stirring up the kind of joyful mischief only the two of them could create!

Lillian’s legacy is stitched into every costume, baked into every cookie, echoed in every church song, and tattooed in the hearts of those who loved her.

At her request, there will be no formal service at this time. Her family will gather privately to celebrate her life.

If you’d like to honor her, take a moment to reflect on your own favorite memory. And please, remember that this gift of life is short, with no promise of tomorrow.

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